Hurricanes Irma and Maria - Emergency Health Assistance - Pan American Health Organization 2017

September 2017 – Category 5 hurricane Irma hit the Caribbean and south-eastern United States between September 6 and 14. It was the largest storm ever to make landfall in the Atlantic. Hurricane Maria also a category 5 storm followed closely between September 18 and 26. The two hurricanes caused widespread damage flooding and displacement throughout the Caribbean region. A number of countries suffered significant devastation including damages to power and water supply lines agriculture telecommunications and infrastructure such as health centres bridges and roadways. More information on the humanitarian situation is expected as relief efforts get underway. With GAC's support the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is helping to meet the immediate health needs of hurricane-affected people in the region including specific support to Dominica. Project activities include: (1) provision of health personnel essential medical and health supplies and equipment; (2) support for disease surveillance for early detection and timely management of disease outbreaks; (3) provision of equipment and supplies for clean water; (4) provision of life-saving sexual and reproductive health (SRH) interventions including procurement and distribution of SRH kits for emergency obstetric care clinical care for rape victims prevention of sexually transmitted infections and HIV and medical supplies to targeted health facilities.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) restored health care delivery capacity and access to health services in the most affected areas; (2) increased epidemiological surveillance to support early detection and timely management of disease outbreaks; (3) ensured access to safe water emergency sanitation measures and vector control; and (4) increased access to Sexual Reproductive health interventions. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.