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New Delhi, 13 May 2008: The World Health Organization has flown in emergency medical supplies
that are being used to assist tens of thousands of people and is monitoring
for communicable disease outbreaks in the wake of Myanmar’s cyclone Nargis.
WHO’s South-East Asia Regional Office has released US$ 350 000 from its
regional health emergency fund (SEARHEF) for immediate health needs in the
cyclone-affected areas. Another US$ 50 000 has been provided by WHO
headquarters in Geneva.
Additional funding is being mobilized through the UN Flash Appeal. WHO is
leading the Health Cluster comprising 22 International NGOs and other UN
agencies to respond to the emergency.
Diarrhoea and dysentery cases have been reported, but no cholera cases
were confirmed. Immediate efforts are focussed on ensuring care and treatment
to the injured population and preventing communicable diseases such as diarrhoea,
other waterborne diseases, acute respiratory infections, measles and dengue.
WHO staff are operating in Myanmar, including 11
international staff, to help provide essential health care. "WHO
continues to work closely with the Myanmar Ministry of Health during the
cyclone Nargis crisis. Our staff are distributing relief supplies in the
worst affected areas" said Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO Regional
Director for South-East Asia.
“Eight International Emergency Health Kits containing essential medical
supplies have arrived in Yangon and have
immediately been delivered to the affected areas. Each kit can treat 10 000
people for a period of three months” said Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO
Deputy Regional Director for South-East Asia.
Dr Eric Laroche, WHO's Assistant Director-General for Health Action in
Crisis, said "WHO is leading the health cluster collaborating closely
with the Myanmar Ministry of Health to meet the immediate health needs of the
tens of thousands affected by the cyclone and to re-establish a public health
system."
WHO has also:
 Provided supplies containing bleaching powder and chlorine tablets for
water treatment, antibiotics, saline solutions and oral rehydration salts to
prevent and control diarrhoeal and other waterborne diseases.
Dispatched 30 000 surgical masks, 30 000 gloves and body bags to Bogale
and Labutta, in Ayeyawady division, for the collection of dead bodies.
Mobilized the delivery of insecticide-treated bednets to ward off
malaria.
Provided guidelines for accepting donations of essential medicines,
Communicable Disease Risk Assessment and Intervention, and management of
cadavers.
Sixteen WHO
National Surveillance Officers have been deployed to the affected areas in Ayeyawady and Yangon divisions to assist the
Ministry of Health in disease surveillance, response and monitoring. They are
also assisting in distribution of medical supplies and other health
logistics.
Ms Vismita Gupta-Smith,
Public Information and Advocacy officer, WHO South-East Asia Region (New
Delhi), Tel: +91-11-23309401, e-mail: guptasmithv@searo.who.int;
Mr ChadinTephaval, Communications Officer WHO Thailand, Tel: +66-81-8151226 email: chadin@searo.who.int
; Mr Paul Garwood, Communications Officer WHO Health Action in Crises
(Geneva), mobile +41-797760454
For further information please visit: www.searo.who.int
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