Disaster Preparedness and Response

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• New report gives preliminary dose estimation from Fukushima nuclear accident
  23-05-2012
  The report describes a preliminary estimate of radiation doses to the public resulting from the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear site in Japan in March 2011.
• WHO supports ongoing efforts to strengthen hospital resilience in the Republic of Moldova
  22-05-2012
  A joint WHO/Ministry of Health event dedicated to the inauguration of pilot projects on hospital resilience strengthening took place in the Republican Clinical Hospital on 15 May 2012. The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Health, representatives of the WHO Country Office and the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the Disaster Medicine Centre, hospital managers and mass media. 
• Health planning for large public events
  09-05-2012
  With thousands of people from many countries attending the UEFA European Football Championship (EURO 2012) and the Summer Olympics, WHO and its partners have developed health advice for these visitors, and support national authorities preparing for mass gatherings. Read more …
• WHO convenes expert consultation to strengthen health security and emergency preparedness
  10-04-2012
  International experts from member states and partners gathered in a WHO consultation in Vienna, Austria, 22 - 23 March 2012, to present and discuss the results of a joint project supported by the European Commissions Directorate-General for Health and Consumers (DG SANCO) and to agree on future priorities for international collaboration to strengthen risk management and emergency preparedness of national health systems.
• Where do natural hazards pose a public health risk?
  20-03-2012
  Earthquakes, floods, landslides, high winds and heat waves put lives in peril, and extreme weather events due to climate change are increasing. WHO/Europe has mapped people’s risk of exposure to these hazards in the 32 most-affected countries in the Region.
• WHO/Europe strengthens national capacity in emergency preparedness
  05-03-2012
  Participants from eight countries in the WHO European Region took part in a workshop to train trainers to establish and develop national programmes to build capacity for risk reduction and the management of public health emergencies.
• 2012 UEFA European Football Championship: health advice
  24-02-2012
  The Championship is taking place in Poland and Ukraine from 8 June to 1 July 2012. With national authorities and partners, WHO/Europe has published a leaflet on the health steps to take before travelling, and key health information to remember when in the host countries.
• WHO assists Tajik hospitals in preparing for emergencies
  14-02-2012
  To help strengthen Tajikistan’s capacity to respond to environment-related emergencies, WHO/Europe is supporting a hospital preparedness project from January to August 2012 in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Tajikistan and the local NGO “Centre for climate change and disaster risk reduction related to the environment”.  
• Health services must prepare for extremely cold weather
  03-02-2012
  Extremely cold weather increases mortality and poses a high health risk to many, particularly children and elderly, homeless or intoxicated people. Health services and hospitals must care for patients suffering from exposure to the cold, hypothermia, frostbite, injuries and accidents, as well as respiratory infections and cardiovascular incidents.
• Strengthening the ability of health facilities in Tajikistan
  12-12-2011
  A hospital safety workshop under the Japan project took place 6-7 December 2011, entitled, “Strengthening the ability of health facilities along the Tajik-Afghan border to deliver care during and after crises”.
• WHO supports emergency preparedness in The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
  02-12-2011
  WHO/Europe and the Country Office in Skopje are working closely with health authorities in The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to strengthen the hospitals preparedness for crisis situations.
• Information bulletin: second earthquake hits eastern Turkey
  10-11-2011
  An earthquake (magnitude 5.7) hit the Van area in eastern Turkey on 9 November 2011. It followed the 7.2-magnitude earthquake on 23 October 2011, which killed 601 people and injured more than 4152. Providing psychosocial services for disaster victims has been identified as a priority.
• Information bulletin: earthquake in eastern Turkey (Van province)
  24-10-2011
  A powerful earthquake (magnitude of 7.2) hit south-eastern Turkey on Sunday, 23 October 2011, with its epicentre in the eastern province of Van. Turkish authorities are managing the rescue operations and have not requested any specific international support. WHO experts are on stand-by.
• WHO supports public health preparedness for EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine
  20-10-2011
  WHO/Europe is working closely with health authorities in Poland and Ukraine, co-hosts of the 14th Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) European Football Championship (EURO 2012), to strengthen their readiness for this mass gathering.
• World Humanitarian Day celebrates people helping people
  19-08-2011
  Health professionals provide vital health care in communities every day. In humanitarian crises and disasters, their services are in even greater demand: treating injuries, preventing illnesses and caring for the urgent health needs of the most vulnerable people. WHO/Europe is currently managing a project providing mental health services to those affected by conflict in Kyrgyzstan.
• New tool to help hospitals prepare for emergencies
  15-08-2011
  Hospitals help to provide communities with essential medical care, particularly in crises or disasters. To promote and give technical support to emergency preparedness for hospitals, WHO/Europe has published a “Hospital emergency response checklist”.
• EHEC outbreak: 9 European countries report cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome and enterohaemorrhagic E. coli infections
  31-05-2011
  Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom have reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and/or bloody diarrhoea.
• Turkey’s health system well prepared for crises
  30-05-2011
  On 24 May 2011, a new WHO/Europe report, “Assessment of health systems’ crisis preparedness: Turkey”, was launched in Ankara by Professor Recep Akdağ, Minister of Health of Turkey, during a press conference attended by representatives of WHO/Europe and the European Commission (EC).
• Migrant health: Italy signs agreement
  17-05-2011
  At the World Health Assembly on 16 May, Professor Ferruccio Fazio, Minister of Health of Italy, signed an agreement with Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, on a three year-project on the public health aspects of migration.
• International congress and new publication on health sector emergency preparedness
  03-05-2011
• Official launch of the “Evaluation of hospital safety in the Republic of Moldova” report
  26-04-2011
  On 21 April 2011, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova and the WHO Office in the Republic of Moldova officially launched the summary report “Evaluation of hospital safety in the Republic of Moldova”.
• Chernobyl, 25 years on: WHO/Europe renews support for the people affected and builds on the lessons learned
  19-04-2011
  Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, will join many other leaders from around the world to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident and to review the reconstruction and development of the affected communities.
• European ministers discuss health needs of people displaced by north African crisis
  13-04-2011
  Today, European health ministers and high-level officials met in Rome to improve international cooperation and coordination on the health issues related to the mass migration resulting from the crisis in northern Africa.
• Conclusions of the health mission in Lampedusa
  31-03-2011
  A two-day joint mission to the island of Lampedusa by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Europe was completed on 29 March 2011. It concluded that the public health situation in Lampedusa, where displaced people have arrived from northern Africa, is a cause for concern, although hitherto there have been no unusual infectious or other diseases detected among the newly arrived population.
• Disaster preparedness mission to Lampedusa
  28-03-2011
  WHO/Europe has assessed the health situation on the small Italian island of Lampedusa, in preparation for the possible arrival of more displaced people owing to the crisis in northern Africa.
• Health update: nuclear reactor crisis in Japan
  18-03-2011
  WHO is cautioning people concerned about the radiation issues in Japan against self-medicating with potassium iodide or taking products containing iodine. According to Russian authorities, radiation levels in the eastern provinces of the Russian Federation remain normal.
• WHO support to Japan after earthquake and tsunami
  15-03-2011
  Following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on 11 March 2011, and the continuing nuclear power plant crisis, the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific is coordinating WHO’s activities: it has been in contact with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan and is currently on standby to provide necessary support.
• WHO/Europe and Italy discuss European health support for people affected by the crisis in north Africa
  28-02-2011
  The crisis is evolving quickly, and the Minister of Health for Italy, Professor Ferruccio Fazio, was in Copenhagen on Sunday, 27 February 2011 to discuss with the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, how WHO/Europe can work with Italy to address the public health challenges faced by people affected by, and fleeing from, the crisis in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
• Improving hospital safety and disaster response in Tajikistan
  15-02-2011
  WHO/Europe and the Ministry of Health, Tajikistan are working together to improve hospital safety and disaster response capacity in Tajikistan. 
• Interdisciplinary emergency training in Kosovo
  11-02-2011
  The WHO Office, Pristina organized interdisciplinary emergency training to develop close cooperation between rescue units in Kosovo (in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999)).
• Kyrgyzstan’s health services receive boost
  09-11-2010
  WHO and the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan are rolling out a series of new projects to support health services, particularly emergency services and mental health care.
• WHO/Europe concludes mission on health impact of sludge spill in Hungary
  20-10-2010
  A four-day WHO expert field mission to Hungary has developed a set of recommendations to minimize the short- and long-term health impact of the sludge spill at an alumina plant in Hungary on 4 October 2010.
• WHO/Europe to assess health impact of sludge spill in Hungary
  12-10-2010
  A team of WHO experts is travelling to Hungary today to provide additional expertise to the Government-led assessment of the potential short- and long-term health effects of a sludge spill that affected the country’s western territories on 4 October 2010.
• Kyrgyzstan situation report, 08 September 2010
  10-09-2010
  Second round of polio campaign completed on 27 August 2010. Major funding gaps for urgently needed health cluster activities.
• Health in Kyrgyzstan following civil unrest: report published
  09-09-2010
  A report indicates that the health care delivery network coped relatively well during the civil unrest in Kyrgyzstan that began in June 2010.
• Kyrgyzstan situation report, 2 September 2010
  06-09-2010
  The second round of the polio immunization campaign was conducted on 23–27 August 2010. Training in psychosocial and psychiatric support in emergencies concluded on 27 August, and a rapid assessment last month indicated that early warning and surveillance systems are functional, although there are gaps in the reporting system.
• Kyrgyzstan situation report, 25 August 2010
  26-08-2010
  No outbreaks of infectious disease have been reported. The second round of a nationwide poliomyelitis (polio) immunization campaign started on 23 August 2010. WHO and health partners are concerned that urgently needed health interventions remain unaddressed as a result of limited funding for health cluster activities.
• Extreme heat-wave and wildfires cause public health concerns in the Russian Federation
  17-08-2010
  Wildfires that started in mid-July 2010 in the Central and Volga federal districts of the Russian Federation have produced a dense plume of smoke over hundreds of kilometres. The situation is aggravated by the continuing heat-wave.
• Kyrgyzstan situation report, 11 August 2010
  13-08-2010
• WHO hands over Interagency Emergency Health Kit to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova
  02-08-2010
  On 30 July 2010, the WHO Country Office, Republic of Moldova officially handed over an Interagency Emergency Health Kit (IEHK), donated by Italy, to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova.
• Kyrgyzstan situation report, 20 July 2010
  22-07-2010
  Health authorities have reported no outbreaks of infectious diseases, but a slight increase in cases of seasonal diarrhoeal disease. No physical rehabilitation services are avaialable for people with disabilities and/or injuries. The need for mental health and psychosocial support services remains urgent.
• Recent floods in the Republic of Moldova: situation report
  16-07-2010
  Recent flooding along the country's two main rivers has caused extensive damage to the infrastructure and agricultural land; about 3000 people have been evacuated. WHO/Europe is following the situation and working closely with the Ministry of Health.
• Kyrgyzstan unrest: situation report
  14-07-2010
  No outbreaks of infectious disease have been reported, but mental health and psychosocial support services remain urgently needed. As part of the humanitarian response, WHO recently gave Kyrgyz health facilities orthopaedic equipment, emergency health kits and trauma kits.
• Kyrgyzstan unrest: situation report
  09-07-2010
  No outbreaks of infectious diseases have been reported and assessments showed no evidence of malnutrition. Authorities report a slight increase in cases of seasonal diarrhoea and zoonotic diseases.
• Kyrgyzstan unrest and refugees in Uzbekistan: situation report
  02-07-2010
  Almost all refugees have voluntarily returned to Kyrgyzstan. Only patients in need of hospital treatment remain in Uzbekistan. With partners, WHO is coordinating the humanitarian health assistance to Kyrgyzstan.
• Kyrgyzstan unrest and refugees in Uzbekistan: situation report
  25-06-2010
  The security situation in southern Kyrgyzstan remains volatile, but has stabilized somewhat during the past two days and many refugees are returning from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan. WHO is coordinating all health-related assistance in both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
• Kyrgyzstan unrest and refugees in Uzbekistan: situation report
  21-06-2010
  WHO has mobilized health kits and medical supplies to support local health services in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, and has deployed experts to coordinate health activity, make assessments and mobilize resources for urgent health action through flash appeals.
• WHO supports health sector response in Kyrgyzstan
  14-06-2010
  Following civil unrest in southern Kyrgyzstan, WHO is working with the Government and partners to ensure that the health needs of those affected are met, and that supplementary polio immunization activities in the region continue.
• Assessment of health systems' crisis preparedness – Ukraine published
  28-05-2010
  Assessment of health systems' crisis preparedness – Ukraine has been published and is available for download.
• Assessment of health systems' crisis preparedness –Poland published
  28-05-2010
  Assessment of health systems' crisis preparedness - Poland has been published and is now available for download.
• Kyrgyzstan Situation Report No. 1, 13 April 2010
  30-04-2010
  Link to a pdf report of the current situation in Kyrgyzstan.
• WHO assists emergency health care provision in Kyrgyzstan
  12-04-2010
  Following the civil unrest in Kyrgyzstan last week, WHO/Europe has offered support to the Ministry of Health, started coordinating the health response and provided basic emergency health kits.
• New project to strengthen health care in Tajikistan
  19-03-2010
  Natural disasters and humanitarian crises place additional strains on health facilities when they are needed most. A new project launched in Tajikistan will help 16 hospitals to withstand disasters and emergencies, and rehabilitate primary health care facilities damaged by severe flooding in 2009. The year-long project is funded by the Government of Japan.
• WHO monitoring situation in earthquake-hit area in Turkey
  08-03-2010
  Monday, 08 March 2010
• Earthquake devastation in Haiti
  12-01-2010
  Tuesday, 12 January 2010