Yemen situation report no. 11 - 13 November 2009

Conflict in Yemen Sa'ada province

Active monitoring of communicable disease trends in affected areas. Specialized care capacity in at least one hospital per governorate should be improved in order to handle the increasing number of H1N1 cases (as of 18 October, 345 confirmed H1N1 cases have been reported by MoPHP.)

HIGHLIGHTS The Ministry of Public Health and Population has received a donation of 60 tons of medicines (50 tons from Oman and 10 tons from Morocco.) The six joint WHO-Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP) mobile medical teams and the fixed clinic at Al-Mazrak Camp reported 31 032 consultations since 1 September. Vaccination and reproductive health services are part of the packages being delivered by the mobile and fixed clinics. Diarrhoea, skin, respiratory and urinary infections and malaria are the main causes of consultation. WHO is supporting the MoPHP conduct a measles campaign in Al-Mazrak IDP camp. The campaign, which includes Vitamin A supplements and possibly deworming, will take place on 14 November. IDPs both inside and outside the camp will be targeted. The National Malaria Control programme has donated 2000 bed nets to the IDP camp at Al-Mazrak. From 26-29 October, a joint UN assessment and planning mission visited Al Aleb on the Yemen-Saudi border north of Baquim, where thousands of IDPs are located. WHO donated vaccines to Aleb’s local health authorities for a mass vaccination campaign targeting 500 families. A joint WHO-MoPHP monitoring team visited the Al-Mazrak camp. The 10th Health Cluster (HC) meeting was held on 8 November. Participants evaluated HC functions and the roles and responsibilities of the different HC partners . No communicable disease outbreaks have been reported from IDP-hosting areas. Nonetheless, the risk remains high due to inadequate health services and lack of safe drinking water. The disease surveillance system is also incomplete, WHO and UNICEF are advocating for health for peace by asking the rebel factions to hold a ceasefire during the forthcoming national measles and polio campaign.

HEALTH IMPACT

• The most common health problems reported include diarrhoeal diseases, respiratory and urinary infections, and skin infections (mainly scabies and rashes).
• Although no disease outbreaks have been reported to date, the risk remains high , lack of clean drinking water and inadequate sanitation. Disease surveillance is also insufficient.

HEALTH SECTOR RESPONSE

WHO RESPONSE

Al Jawf Governorate

• The joint MoPHP and WHO mobile teams operating in Al Jawf reported 1965 consultations during the last two weeks.

Sa'ada Governorate

• No patient data are available from Sa'ada due to limited communication.
• A joint UN assessment mission visited Al Aleb from 26 to 29 October. The results will be made available shortly.
• WHO delivered vaccines to local health authorities for a mass vaccination campaign.
• Humanitarian organizations are coordinating plans to support the IDP camp hosting 500 families.

Hajjah Governorate

• The joint MoPHP and WHO mobile medical teams reported 5143 consultations during the last two weeks.
• The MoPHP-WHO-supported clinic in Al Mazrak camp is delivering services in two shifts (morning and evening). An MoPHP ambulance is available around the clock for emergencies. In October, 6537 consultations were reported, including more than 2200 cases of diarrhoea and 900 cases of malaria. A total of 583 patients were referred to Harad hospital, and 47 babies were delivered by skilled attendants.

Amran Governorate

• The two mobile medical teams supported by WHO reported 3464 consultations during the last two weeks.

NEEDS

• Active monitoring of communicable disease trends in affected areas.
• Enhanced primary health care coverage by providing additional support to the existing health care infrastructure and increasing the number of mobile medical teams.
• Specialized care capacity in at least one hospital per governorate should be improved in order to handle the increasing number of H1N1 cases (as of 18 October, 345 confirmed H1N1 cases have been reported by MoPHP.)
• Referrals to secondary health facilities should be enhanced in order to provide timely treatment for chronic illnesses such as tuberculosis, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and asthma.
• Water quality monitoring must be strengthened.
• Strengthening of reproductive health services, especially at Al Mazrak camp.

Contacts

WHO Yemen Country Office
Dr Ghulam Popal
WHO Representative, Yemen
E-Mail: wr-yemen@yem.emro.who.int
Tel.: +967 1 252213

WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean
Dr Irshad Shaikh
Regional Adviser
Emergency Preparedness and Humanitarian Action
E-Mail: shaikhi@emro.who.int
Tel.: +20 2 276 5525
Mobile: +20 1 0173 3924

WHO Headquarters
Mr Paul Garwood
Communications Officer
Health Action in Crises
E-Mail: garwoodp@who.int
Tel.: +41 22 791 3462
Mobile: +41 79 475 5546