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Editorial
2010 was marked by two major emergencies: the earthquake in Haiti and the floods in Pakistan. Both events highlighted the importance of Making hospitals safe in emergencies and Urbanization and health - messages delivered by World Health Day 2009 and 2010. The lives and health of other communities have also been at acute risk: worldwide millions of people continued to suffer as a result of protracted and sudden-onset crises.
HAC activities in countries
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Haiti: sustaining the humanitarian health response
Insecurity has had an impact on the delivery of care. The health response has focused on keeping the supply chain operational and developing contingency plans for new emergencies. Nevertheless, most cholera treatments centres, cholera treatments units and oral rehydration posts have remained operational and supplies have reached the areas of greatest need.
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Somalia: WHO and partners responding to the immediate needs of the population
The availability of health services remains severely limited, relying almost exclusively on NGOs for delivery. Service delivery is hampered by the weak public health system and the lack of infrastructure (including supplies, equipment and amenities), health facilities and skilled health workers. The frail emergency health system is overburdened by the ongoing fighting.
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Southern Sudan: contingency planning to meet the challenges of the upcoming referendum
The situation in Southern Sudan is relatively stable despite the imminence of the referendum. WHO, the Ministry of Health and health partners are observing the situation for possible health events and working to ensure both adequate human resources and access to medical and health supplies during the referendum period.
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Pakistan: update on the integrated relief and reintegration support strategy
Last September, WHO, UNICEF and WFP launched a “Survival Strategy” to ensure a coherent approach towards improving the health and well-being of the flood-affected population. The strategy has expanded to include the Education, Shelter, Protection, Agriculture and Community Restoration Clusters. Agencies are working to secure a minimum package of services, ensuring access to health, water, food, education, shelter and protection to all.
Other news
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Guidance for health sector assessment to support the post disaster recovery process
The United Nations, the World Bank and the European Commission have developed a new post-disaster assessment guidance to formulate national recovery frameworks. The project has come up with a recovery plan that goes beyond reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and compensation of financial losses to include a “building back better” approach. WHO chaired the group dedicated to the health sector.
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Funding: Funds channelled through HAC from January to December 2010
During the period 1 January to 10 December 2010, WHO/HAC received approximately US$ 170.7 million from 30 donors – countries as well as private donors and pooled funds – to respond to 48 humanitarian crises in all six WHO regions.
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High level conference on the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), New York, 14 December 2010
OCHA reports that US$ 358 million was pledged during the recent High Level CERF Conference. All participants gave positive feedback on the impact of the CERF, its solid management and accountability measures, and its importance as part of the humanitarian reform process.
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Analysing disrupted health systems in countries in crisis training course, Hammamet, Tunisia, 6-17 December 2010
Analysing health systems in countries affected by crisis is the basis for early recovery approaches during protracted crises, and for recovery and development after protracted crises. The fifth Analysing disrupted health systems in countries in crisis training course was jointly organized by WHO, Merlin and the ICR in Hammamet.
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Interagency issues
Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States; ECHA meeting; IASC Principals meeting and ad hoc meting; IASC Task Force on Protection against Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.