Civil unrest leads to widespread looting of healthcare facilities in the Central African Republic

The protracted armed conflict in the Central African Republic has intensified since December and culminated in a coup d'etat on 24 March. Due to the insecurity since the Séléka armed coalition took control of the capital, healthcare delivery to the general population of Bangui is heavily affected. There have been reports of widespread looting of healthcare facilities, warehouses and offices (including WHO). WHO has internally classified the situation in the Central African Republic as a Grade 2 emergency due to the consequences of the civil unrest.

• Read the latest Health Cluster Bulletin 30 April 2013 (in French)
  pdf, 354kb
• Read the health situation and health cluster response in the Central African Republic - March 2013
  pdf, 297kb
• More information for the Central African Republic

2 May 2013 - The people in Darfur face further deterioration of already limited health care as the number of international health-care providers is decreasing amid continuous insecurity and lack of funding. WHO says the early recovery phase will require US$ 150 million over the next 2-3 years to ensure the provision of basic health and nutrition services to 3.4 million people.

• Read about the Darfur Early Recovery Strategy for Health and Nutrition
  pdf, 902kb
• Read the Sudan Health Sector fact sheet
  pdf, 80kb
• Emergency vaccination in Jebel Amir
• Obstetric training in Kutum
• More information on the Sudan

21 April 2013 – The Ministry of Health has reported that after the alleged deliberate release of chemicals near Aleppo, 25 people were killed and 134 were injured. Reported symptoms included: loss of consciousness, dimness of vision and neurological symptoms. United Nations’ senior advisers are working closely with relevant bodies, including the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and WHO, to investigate this matter further.

• Read the update on the crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic
  pdf, 760kb
  World Health Organization (WHO) requires US$ 39.8 million until June 2013 to respond to the acute health needs of populations affected by the crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic.
• Read the latest regional situation reports
• More information on Syrian Arab Republic

There has been improved access in the central regions of Mali, while in the north humanitarian activities continue to be restricted by the threat of mines, violence and on‐going military operations. A major challenge facing the Malian health system is the disruption of the health and sanitation structure in the north of the country as a consequence of the armed conflict. A joint assessment of health actors at the beginning of the crisis concluded that only 10% of the health structures in the north of the country are functional. Functioning health structures, both in the northern and southern parts of the country are overwhelmed with the increasing health needs of local and displaced populations.

• Read the Mali health situation update 18 April 2013
  pdf, 67kb
• Read the latest Mali Health Cluster bulletin - 11 April 2013
  pdf, 960kb
• More information on Mali