WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus speak The UN agency has classified the situation as a Level 3 emergency – the highest level in the internal scoring system – meaning that all three levels of the organization are involved in the response: national and regional offices, as well as its headquarters in Geneva.
“Floods in Pakistan, drought and famine in Africa’s Greater Horn, and more intense and frequent cyclones in the Pacific and Caribbean all point to urgent need for action against the existential threat of climate changeHe said, speaking during his regular briefing from WHO headquarters.
Millions of people affected
More than 33 million people in Pakistan, and three-quarters of the districts, have been affected by floods caused by monsoon rains.
At least 1,000 people have been killed and 1,500 injured, the WHO said, citing national health authorities. More than 161,000 others are currently in camps.
Almost 900 medical facilities across the country were damaged, in which 180 is completely damaged. Millions of people have been left without access to health care and medical treatment.
The government declared a state of emergency and the UN issued a $160 million appeal for the country. Tedros also released $10 million from the WHO emergency fund to support the response.
Provide life-saving supplies
“WHO has initiated an immediate response to treat the injured, deliver life-saving supplies to medical facilities, support mobile medical teams and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. ” speak Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.
The United Nations agency and partners have conducted a preliminary assessment that shows the current level of devastation is much more severe than previous floods, including those that devastated the country in 2016. 2010.
Guaranteed access to services
The crisis has exacerbated disease outbreaks, including acute diarrhea, dengue fever, malaria, polio, and COVID-19especially in camps and where water supply and sanitation facilities have been damaged.
Pakistan has recorded 4,531 cases of measles this year and 15 cases of wild poliovirus, even before heavy rains and floods. A nationwide campaign against polio has been interrupted in the affected areas.
“WHO is working with health authorities to respond quickly and effectively in the field. Our main priorities right now are ensure prompt access to essential health services to fortify populations affected by floods and expanding disease surveillance, disease prevention and controland ensure close coordination of the medical team,” said Dr Palitha Mahipala, WHO Representative in Pakistan.
Flooding could be worse
With flooding forecast to worsen in the coming days, WHO immediately focused on these priorities.
The Pakistani government is leading the national response and is setting up control rooms and health camps at the provincial and district levels.
Authorities are also organizing air evacuations and conducting health awareness sessions about water-borne and vector-borne diseases, as well as other infectious diseases such as COVID- 19.
WHO is working with the Ministry of Health to strengthen surveillance for acute diarrhea, cholera and other infectious diseases to avoid further spread. The agency is also providing essential medicines and medical supplies to functional health facilities treating affected communities.
Expanding disease surveillance
Before the floods, WHO and its partners administered cholera vaccination in response to a pre-existing outbreak.
Pakistan is also one of only two polio-endemic countries left in the world, and groups in affected areas are expanding surveillance for both polio and other diseases. Furthermore, polio workers are now working closely with the authorities to support relief efforts, especially in the hardest hit areas.
WHO has also moved mobile health camps to affected districts, providing more than 1.7 million faucets to ensure people have access to clean water and providing sampling kits for early detection of diseases. Infectious Diseases.
