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Editorial
This month’s main topic is the response to the cholera outbreak in Haiti. The Highlights provides first an overview of the health situation, then of WHO’s response and finally of the Cholera Inter-Sector Response Strategy. The Highlights also features the polio outbreak in the Republic of the Congo, the Health Sector and WHO’s needs in the CAP 2011, the refined Business Model for WHO’s work in emergencies, the Global Forum on Migration and Development held recently in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and interagency issues.
HAC activities in countries
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Haiti: controlling the cholera outbreak
As of 1 December, Haiti reported 80 860 cholera cases and 1817 related deaths nationwide. Despite support from the international community, the health care system is under stress because of the structural damage and loss of personnel caused by the January earthquake. In response to this extraordinary situation, the Health, Water and Sanitation, Education, Food, Logistics, and Camp Coordination and Camp Management Clusters, United Nations agencies, NGOs and the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) have developed an inter-sectoral strategy seeking US$ 164 million.
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Republic of the Congo: responding to the polio outbreak
As of 25 November, 409 cases of acute flaccid paralysis had been reported from the site of the acute poliomyelitis outbreak in Pointe Noire, Kouilou, Niari and Bouenza Departments. Of these 169 have died (crude fatality rate of 41%). Three cases have been confirmed to have been caused by wild poliovirus type 1 and laboratory testing continues. Two-thirds of all reported cases are affecting people aged 15 to 25. HAC sent a logistician as operation manager to set up an operations room similar to the C4 (Cholera Control Command Centre) created in 2009 during the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe.
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Pakistan: acute malnutrition, another unfolding emergency
The last national nutrition survey, conducted before the recent floods, put global acute malnutrition among children under five at 13%. The concentration of internally displaced people in camps has brought the issue to the surface.
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Indonesia: a new eruption of Mt Merapi
According to the MoH Crisis Center, up to 428 people were reported dead, 459 injured and 15 097 displaced by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit West Sumatra on 25 October. The delivery of humanitarian supplies is still an important issue due to transportation difficulties.
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Somalia emergency and humanitarian action highlights
As cholera transmission season continues in Somalia, WHO and partners are monitoring trends for acute watery diarrhea all over the country.
Other news
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Consolidated Appeal Process for 2011
The CAP 2011 was launched on 30 November. WHO is seeking US$ 162 471 355, which will also cover the needs for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe where there are not specific projects for agencies.
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Refined Business Model for WHO’s work in emergencies
WHO has embarked upon the development of a business model that will provide a systematic and coherent approach for its extensive range of emergency activities, including preparedness, response and recovery.
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The WHO Country Focus Department (CCO) joins HAC
As of 1 November, CCO has joined HAC as a new department. CCO advocates for, facilitates and assesses the implementation of the WHO Country Focus policy, or the interactions of WHO with Members States at country level.
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Global Forum on Migration and Development, Puerto Vallarta, 8-11 November 2010
As a member of the interagency Global Migration Group (GMG), WHO participated to the 4rth Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) to build partnerships between governments, public and private sectors, migrants, diaspora, civil society, international organizations and others.
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Interagency issues
Global Forum on Migration and Development; 78th IASC Working Group; December IASC Principals meeting; UNDG-ECHA Working Group on Transition; and 12th Emergency Directors Meeting.