Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines - Emergency Health Assistance - WHO 2013

November 19 2013 – On November 8 2013 Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) made landfall in the Philippines killing a reported 3 976 people and affecting 12.9 million people in 41 provinces. Some four million people have been reported as displaced from their homes and are seeking shelter in evacuation centres or with host families. The typhoon caused extensive damage to infrastructure in the hardest-hit areas making it very challenging to access affected people with emergency assistance. The latest reports indicate that the typhoon destroyed more than one million homes and that electricity and water systems are not functioning in many affected areas. The Government of the Philippines has identified the most significant needs as safe drinking water shelter food medical assistance and support to ensure adequate hygiene and sanitation. With DFATD’s support the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) is meeting the health needs of an estimated 660 000 displaced typhoon-affected people. Some project activities include: (i) delivering essential medicines and medical supplies; (ii) providing essential health services such as medical/surgical consultations reproductive and mental health services psychosocial support health promotion and immunizations; (iii) strengthening disease surveillance and outbreak control systems to prevent epidemics; (iv) strengthening referral systems from community health facilities to higher levels of care; (v) establishing temporary health facilities and services and repairing damaged health facilities; and (vi) providing information management support and contributing to the coordination of the health sector response.

The expected immediate outcomes of this project include: (i) increased access to essential medicines and medical supplies; (ii) increased access to health facilities and services; (iii) improved disease surveillance and outbreak control; and (iv) increased systematic immunization. The expected intermediate outcome is reduced vulnerability of typhoon-affected people especially women and children.