WHO - World Health Organization

Published purpose

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.