Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines - Emergency Health Assistance - WHO 2014

February 2014 - On November 8 2013 Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) made landfall in the Philippines a densely populated country of 92 million people. The category five typhoon killed over 6 000 Filipinos caused 4 million people to be displaced from their homes and caused severe damage to infrastructure including homes roads schools and health centres. Although many people have already received life-saving humanitarian assistance significant humanitarian needs remain including early recovery activities that contribute to building communities that are more resilient. With DFATD’s support the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) is helping up to seven million people affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines by providing emergency health assistance. Project activities include: (1) strengthening disease surveillance a practice that monitors the spread of disease in order to predict observe and minimize the harm caused by an outbreak; (2) improving referral systems to ensure that people are able to access the health care services they need; (3) providing systematic immunization to prevent the outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and polio; (4) setting up temporary health facilities and services; (5) repairing damaged health facilities; and (6) providing essential medicines and medical supplies.

The expected immediate outcomes of this project include: (1) improved disease surveillance and outbreak control; (2) increased systematic immunization; (3) increased access to health facilities and services; and (4) increased access to essential medicines and medical supplies. The expected intermediate outcome is reduced vulnerability of crisis-affected people especially women and children.