In this issue: The health response to the crises in Iraq and Ukraine, the launch of the Ebola Response Roadmap and the events to commemorate World Humanitarian Day
Iraq
Situation highlights:
The humanitarian situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate with further displacement of people. A surge in violence between Government forces and armed groups displaced over 950 000 people in central and northern Iraq. It is estimated that 1.5 million new people are in need of assistance from the recent crisis which started in June 2014. On 13 August, the Interagency Standing Committee declared the crisis in Iraq a Level 3 emergency. WHO, using its internal grading system, declared it a Grade 3 emergency on 12 August 2014.
The situation is still evolving and new displacements are occurring. This makes it difficult to estimate the total number of people in need of assistance. Almost 200 000 people from Sinjar district have fled to Dohuk as a result of increased fighting. An additional 50 000 people, mostly women, children and the elderly are reported to be trapped on Sinjar mountain. An estimated 60 000 more individuals have crossed to Dohuk through the Feshkhabour border‐point with the Syrian Arab Republic.
In Sinjar district, the General Hospital (139 beds) and 16 (of 19 total) primary health care centres are non‐functional. Health authorities in Ninewa Governorate have expressed concern over possible outbreaks of measles, polio, cholera, as well as tuberculosis (TB) given that Sinjar is a TB endemic area. Despite the delivery of medicines and medical supplies, there remain shortages in medicines and medical supplies, as well as shortages in electricity, drinking water and fuel.
The security situation in Anbar Governorate is still volatile and displacement of families continues with at least 65 000 families departing from their homes towards safer zones inside the governorate. IDPs are living in areas with a shortage of clean water, insufficient food supplies, and limited health facilities.
In many areas the health infrastructure and access to health services have been disrupted due to the conflict. Where facilities exist and are functioning, most have been inundated with the influx of the displaced. Medical supplies are in short supply. Routine vaccination programmes have been disrupted and currently there is a risk of polio.
WHO’s efforts to provide medicines in response to the acute shortage reported by the Government are hampered by insecurity and the suspension of flights to Erbil.
WHO is increasing its presence in country and works out of six offices: Baghdad,
Erbil, Dohuk, Suleymaniya, Mosul and Kirkuk. Assessments of health service delivery and identification of health needs are ongoing as the situation evolves.
