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Tuesday November 10, 2009

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NEWS: ASIA


1105 Evacuation mitigates Typhoon Mirinae’s impact [Philippines]--Aid workers credit a pre-emptive evacuation of more than 115,000 residents for this weekend’s minimal loss of life from Typhoon Mirinae.

Sixteen deaths were recorded in suburban areas south of Manila and in two eastern provinces, although the heavy rains and strong winds further exacerbated the humanitarian situation for tens of thousands left homeless by two earlier devastating cyclones, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported on 2 November.

With gusts of up to 185km/hr, Mirinae cut a westwards swathe across Luzon Island on 31 October before exiting into the South China Sea a day later.

The state weather bureau said Mirinae would likely hit Vietnam on 2 November.

"We were thankful that the public listened to authorities. People are now more aware of what to do after Ketsana and Parma," Philippine National Red Cross secretary-general, Gwendolyn Pang, told IRIN, adding that authorities had already managed to restore power to most of the 22 towns hit by the storm.

Ketsana dumped a month's worth of rain on Manila and outlying areas when it hit land on 26 September, causing the area's worst flooding in over 40 years.

A week later, Parma pummelled northern Luzon for a week. Typhoon Lupit changed course at the last minute on 24 October, providing a break for storm-weary rescuers and a government whose disaster response mechanism has been pushed to the limit by the storms that affected more than eight million people.

Massive flooding brings fresh crisis


While many of those evacuated by the earlier storms had returned home, Pang said relief operations would continue for 87,467 people still crammed into makeshift shelters around Manila and in surrounding provinces.

But with many flood survivors returning to their partly submerged homes, authorities have warned of more disease outbreaks. Government has recorded 167 deaths due to Leptospirosis - a flood-borne disease caused by infection from flood waters contaminated by rat and other animal urine – in addition to 929 deaths due to devastation wrought by Ketsana and Parma.

Reconstruction

"We are now shifting relief operations to early recovery planning and reconstruction. We need to develop a residential plan for those left homeless by the floods," Pang said, noting, however, that disaster relief officials have said many areas, especially near lakes, reservoirs and rivers, would likely remain under water into 2010.

Ida Mae Fernandez, regional project officer for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said the agency was working on "multiple targets" to include the displaced in evacuation centres, as well as families who had stayed in their flooded homes.

"We will implement reconstruction and repair activities on basic public infrastructure, as well as repair of houses," she said.

"Also, we are gearing up to work with the Department of Health and the World Health Organization to fast-track health mitigation activities.

"Coordination of actions will be important, and IOM will focus on areas that have difficult access to ready humanitarian aid," Fernandez said.

The NDCC said Typhoon Mirinae left "remarkably less damage to lives and properties" than Ketsana and Parma.

"This is largely attributed to the pre-emptive efforts conducted by the national and local governments through the NDCC and their local counterparts, and the pre-positioning of government assets and relief items in areas which were to have been hit by the typhoon," it stated.

Residents in the direct path of Mirinae were easier to convince to leave their properties than those affected by the previous storms.

"Cooperation among all sectors is truly the best tool we must have in disaster preparation or disaster response," it stated. "We hope the lessons we learned from these past tragedies will remain with everyone, to allow for better disaster preparation and better disaster responses."

President Gloria Arroyo personally led disaster relief officials in the inspection of water levels in flood-ways around Manila and to warn residents against staying there as Mirinae was lashing the city.

Arroyo called on authorities to evacuate residents from the Lupang Arenda resettlement site in Taytay District, east of Manila. The president talked to the residents, many of whom were waiting for the waters to subside so they could salvage what was left of their belongings.

The 200ha site was originally designated a protected wetlands by the government, but in recent years has been overrun by informal settlers - a situation repeated in many other areas around Manila, exposing government's poor urban planning, which has been blamed by environmentalists for the massive flooding.
 

 

1105 WHO official supports H1N1 emergency measures - including three-week closure of all schools [Afghanistan]--A UN World Health Organization (WHO) official has backed the Afghan government’s health emergency declaration which involves a three-week closure of all schools and universities in Afghanistan as a means of preventing the spread of H1N1 influenza. He called it an “appropriate and timely measure” to curb its spread.

“It was the right decision by the minister of health as we see the number of H1N1 cases rising,” Ahmed Abdul Rahman, WHO’s officer-in-charge in Afghanistan, told IRIN on 3 November. The government made the announcement on 1 November.

According to the Ministry of Education there are over nine million children and students at schools, colleges and universities in the country. All of them will be required to stay at home from 2-23 November.

Afghanistan had reported over 320 H1N1 cases with two deaths as of 3 November.

Some observers have suggested that the closure declaration was designed to prevent protests against President Karzai’s controversial re-election announcement, made the following day.

“In a country where two mothers die every hour from pregnancy-related complications, why is the suspected death of only two patients from flu declared an emergency?” asked an international aid worker in Kabul who did not want to named.

“The disease was not widespread and cannot justify a state of emergency in which the entire education system is closed,” Kabir Ranjbar, a member of parliament, told IRIN.

However, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) defended its decision and said the state of emergency was in no way politically motivated.

''In a country where two mothers die every hour from pregnancy-related complications, why is the suspected death of only two patients from flu declared an emergency?''
“Countries like Ukraine, the USA and Mexico, which are not in [the midst of] elections, have also declared H1N1 emergencies and so has Afghanistan,” Farid Raaid, MoPH’s spokesman, told IRIN.

“We are in the midst of at least three emergencies namely security, political and now health,” said Ajmal Samadi, director of the Kabul-based rights watchdog Afghanistan Rights Monitor.

Six million at risk?

Health officials told IRIN over six million of the country’s estimated 28 million people risked catching H1N1. Pregnant women and children were particularly vulnerable, they said.

“Through the health emergency we want to mitigate the risks and prevent a major outbreak of H1N1 in the country,” said Amir Ansari, an adviser to Health Minister Mohammad Amin Fatimie.

The government has prepared a snap appeal for over US$60 million to procure medication, such as Tamiflu and seasonal flu vaccines, and undertake other necessary measures to combat the disease, Ansari said.

The MoPH has also asked the World Health Organization (WHO) for support and the provision of over one million doses of Tamiflu, officials said.

Afghanistan only has one virology laboratory capable of diagnosing the H1N1 virus but about 200 surveillance units have been established across the country to quickly report suspicious flu cases. No H1N1 vaccine is available yet but the health authorities have received over 30,000 doses of tamiflu tablets from WHO, according to the MOPH.

The H1N1 type of influenza was first reported in Mexico in April 2009 and quickly spread to dozens of countries around the world. Globally, over 440,000 cases of H1N1 and over 5,700 deaths were reported by WHO as of 25 October.

 

 

1105 WASH concerns a month after Sumatra quake [Indonesia]--Thousands of survivors of an earthquake that devastated Indonesia's West Sumatra Province are still grappling with a lack of clean water and adequate sanitation more than a month after the disaster, relief workers say.

Aid agencies are delivering clean water to survivors by truck, but it is insufficient unless water sources damaged by the earthquake on 30 September are restored, said Endang Trisna, programme coordinator for Mercy Corps.

"Water pumps in many houses have been damaged and wells are contaminated with sand and dirt. Some residents have no access at all to clean water," Trisna told IRIN.

Trisna said Mercy Corps was helping villagers fix their water sources and providing treatment facilities, as well as building latrines and distributing hygiene kits in Padang Pariaman and Agam districts, among the worst hit by the earthquake.

"Our staff are also providing training on hygiene. Our target is to help 10,000 households," she said.

The magnitude 7.6 quake left 1,117 people dead and more than 119,000 houses severely damaged or destroyed, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

IDP camps

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its 3 November report that funding for transitional shelter, water and sanitation, and agriculture activities was still urgently needed to bridge the gap into the recovery phase.

According to the report, 600,000 people in Padang, the provincial capital, will be reliant on water trucks until year-end.

There are also 4,000 displaced people in three camps in Agam and about 4,000 in six camps in Padang Pariaman who are being supported with water and sanitation activities.

The government declared a recovery phase from 1 November in all but Padang Pariaman and Agam, home to the camps, where the emergency phase continues because sanitation is particularly poor. The camps are providing shelter for some of the thousands of people displaced by landslides triggered by the earthquake, said Tanty Pranawisanty, Mercy Corps emergency response team leader.

"The tents are not up to standard. They are close to each other, causing overcrowding," she said.

The government is expected to announce its rehabilitation and reconstruction action plan on 15 November, the OCHA report stated.

Ade Edward, head of West Sumatra's disaster coordinating agency, said piped water had been restored in 60 percent of households in Padang, while about 1,000 temporary shelters had been built by aid groups.

But he admitted that living conditions for people displaced in Agam and Padang Pariaman were still far from normal.

"They live in makeshift shelters and there's a lack of water and toilets," Edward told IRIN. "There are problems with sanitation, but it's being handled by authorities."

Funding gap

The UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said aid groups have complained they lacked funds to deliver water but stressed that the situation would not threaten the emergency relief effort.

"Aid agencies have been helping with the supply of water bladders and other equipment, but the operational cost is being paid by the local tap water company," said Lely Djuhari, a spokeswoman for UNICEF Indonesia.

"We're confident the government will come up with the cost for water trucking for the next three months, or even beyond," she said.

Meanwhile, the government estimates that reconstruction in West Sumatra will cost more than US$700 million, while the BNPB says more than $315 million will be needed for rebuilding damaged houses.

"We are still awaiting the release of the funds by the central government. However, some reconstruction work has begun, even though money from the government has not come," said BNPB spokesman Priyadi Kardono.
 

 

1105 Damage, loss and preliminary needs assessment from West Sumatra and Jambi regions [Indonesia]--On 30 September 2009, a powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck West Sumatra province. Damage was widespread, affecting 13 out of 19 districts and killing over 1,100 people. The worst affected districts are the cities of Padang and Pariaman (Kota Padang and Kota Pariaman), as well as the district of Padang Pariaman (Kabupaten Padang Pariaman). Historical data on seismic activity over the past 200 years show that West Sumatra is particularly prone to earthquakes, due to its location at the convergence zone of four major tectonic plates. The geology of the region combined with densely populated settlements in zones of higher ground amplification help to explain the vast destruction of the earthquake, both in terms of lives lost and material damage and losses.

Damage and losses in West Sumatra are estimated at Rp 21.6 trillion, equivalent to about US$2.3 billion. Almost 80 percent of all damage and losses are recorded in the infrastructure sectors (including housing), followed by the productive sectors with 11 percent. In line with similar disasters, housing is the worst affected sector, with damage and losses estimated at over Rp 15 trillion. In the productive sectors, trade is the worst affected, reflecting the fact that Kota Padang, a major trading hub in the region, was badly affected by the disaster.

Over 88 percent of all damage and losses are of a private nature. This is primarily the result of large damage and losses in the housing sector, which is primarily privately owned, and by the fact that many of the productive sectors (trade and industry, tourism, and the financial sector) suffered large losses. The private sector also plays a significant role in the provision of health and education services.

Many government buildings collapsed in Kota Padang and in the other districts causing total damage and losses estimated at Rp 0.6 trillion. The destruction of many government buildings paralyzed government services in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. Two weeks later essential public services at the provincial and district level have been restored. In many instances services are being provided in tents and temporary offices, which is resulting in delays particularly in the provision of services at the nagari level. Implementation of existing government development plans is likely to be disrupted for the remainder of the year and administrative procedures for budget reallocations may prevent local governments from restructuring their programs in a timely manner. Local government will need to identify physical spaces to maintain an adequate level of public services. The capacity of local governments needs to be strengthened in a number of areas to cope with increasing responsibilities in the reconstruction effort.

Infrastructure suffered damage and losses estimated at Rp 16.8 trillion, primarily the result of damage to housing, in line with the extent of damage observed in other similar disasters. About 31 percent of the total housing stock in the affected districts has been either destroyed or damaged in some way, amounting to about 115,000 houses destroyed and over 135,000 houses damaged. The reconstruction of housing should be based on compliance with existing building standards, including accurate hazard maps to identify risk areas that may not be appropriate for building. Damage to transport infrastructure is relatively limited and concentrated in roads and bridges. Most roads were accessible after a few days, although transport may be slower due to repair work in many areas. Key roads in mountainous areas that are threatened by landslides will require extensive and immediate construction to remediate. The water and sanitation sector suffered severe losses, estimated at almost Rp 0.5 trillion, affecting both the publicly owned utilities (PDAMs) as well as private and community water sources. A large number of households suffered disruptions in the supply of water for several weeks, and a month after the disaster the supply has not been fully restored. The sanitation sector has suffered different degrees of damage, increasing the risk of contamination of water sources due to their close proximity.

Damage and losses in the social sectors are relatively limited, at about Rp 1.7 trillion. Many education and health facilities in the province are damaged, Kota Padang and Kab. Pariaman being the worst affected areas. The health and education sectors each account for about 40 percent of damage and losses in the social sectors, with the remaining 20 percent being sustained by religious and cultural facilities, as well as facilities for the poor and vulnerable. Over 50 percent of the damage and losses are of a private nature, driven by the damage caused to mosques and other religious buildings but also to private education and health facilities. Transitory arrangements have allowed the resumption of public services in the education and health sectors, although there are concerns regarding the quality of services being provided in such difficult conditions. Preliminary assessments of damage show that it was often caused by relatively weak structures that failed to withstand the force of the earthquake. Going forward, it will be important to ensure that schools and health facilities are built in accordance with seismic building standrads.

The earthquake had a significant impact on the productive sectors with damage and losses amounting to an estimated Rp 2.4 trillion. Among these sectors, the trade and industry sector has been the most severely affected. The earthquake has disrupted thousands of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), mainly located in the urban areas of Kota Padang and Kab. Pariaman, while the larger enterprises have suffered relatively lightly. Many traditional and modern markets sustained significant damages. More than 70 percent of the hotel facilities in Kota Padang have been damaged or destroyed. Most tourism-related businesses have suffered from a decline in tourist arrivals following the earthquake. The finance sector has also suffered significantly: more than 2,000 borrowers are affected and a portion of the loan portfolios of the banking institutions are expected to become non-performing. However, the earthquake had less of an impact on the agriculture sector, although damage to irrigation systems and fishponds has affected the livelihoods of many rural and coastal households. The recovery in the trade and industry and tourism sectors will pose a significant challenge. Targeted assistance will be required to help SMEs within these sectors to resume their businesses and for many rural and coastal communities where families have sustained significant damage to their houses and productive assets so that they have the resources to restart their livelihood activities.

At the macro level, the disaster is likely to have only a limited impact on the regions economy. The earthquake will not have a major impact on the national economy, given that West Sumatra accounts for less than 2 percent of national GDP. Similarly, it will not have a significant impact on other macroeconomic fundamentals, such as the balance of payments or the fiscal deficit. At the regional level, the impact is likely to be more pronounced, although initial estimates also show a limited impact on the region's economy, lowering GRDP growth by 0.3 percentage points in 2009 and 1.0 percentage in 2010. The disaster may have a significant impact in terms of revenues collected by the districts and the province. Own-source revenues account for 43 percent of the province's total revenue and 13 percent in Kota Padang. The nature of this revenue (e.g. property and vehicle taxes) suggests a significant reduction in revenues at the provincial and district levels at a time when resources are most urgently needed to cope with the disaster. Appropriate mechanisms should be put in place through fiscal transfers and deficit financing to allow local governments to respond more effectively to the disaster.

On average, the negative impact on employment is likely to be limited, as has been observed in other post-earthquake situations. Preliminary estimates project a decline in employment of 41,000 people, particularly in the trade and industry and tourism sectors. This relatively limited impact at the macro level is likely to go hand in hand with a deterioration of welfare in the worst affected populations and economic sectors. The poverty level in the province is projected to increase by 1.5 percentage points to almost 10.8 percent in 2010, reversing the progress made over the past few years. The impact is likely to be localized, and particular attention should be paid to the poor and vulnerable in the worst affected districts, since coping mechanisms at the community level will be put under stress given that the destruction and job and income losses are concentrated in certain locations.

Assisting affected communities to meet basic needs, such as food, shelter and water is a priority in the early recovery phase. This is to a large extent being accomplished already. A survey conducted shortly after the disaster at the community level provides invaluable information about the needs of communities for the early recovery phase. At the community level, the availability of water and temporary shelter are highlighted as priority areas for government intervention in the immediate short term. Loss of livelihoods and jobs were also expressed as key concerns by the community. The next phase of the recovery period should ensure the normal functioning of public services at all government levels, including schools and health centers. This should be combined with the provision of temporary accommodation for those affected by the disaster, as well as targeted assistance to victims that have lost their livelihoods, e.g. through interim income generating activities. The reconstruction of transport, infrastructure, and housing, as well as economic recovery, will be part of the Government's reconstruction action plan for the region.

The overall needs to rebuild the province are estimated at Rp 23 trillion, with the governments shared estimated at Rp 7.1 trillion. The National Disaster Management Agency or Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) will lead in coordinating and facilitating the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation, while implementation of the recovery program will be led by the provincial governments in West Sumatra and Jambi. After the emergency phase, the Government has committed to assisting affected communities in the early recovery phase, while at the same time starting the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts of the region. Preliminary needs assessments recommend the use of community-driven approaches to rebuild housing, community infrastructure, irrigation systems, schools and health centers where appropriate, bearing in mind that some badly affected communities may not have the capacity to carry out such activities and a different approach may be necessary. The delivery of assistance should address the specific needs of particularly vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly and families without the social protection associated with traditional kinship ties.

In the housing sector, which accounts for around 78 percent of all needs, the Government has adopted a policy of assistance for the rebuilding of housing. This assistance will provide Rp 15 million for destroyed or badly damaged housing, Rp 10 million for medium-damaged housing and a maximum of Rp 1 million for lightly damaged housing. However, this may prove to be insufficient to ensure that the rehabilitation of houses damaged or destroyed by the earthquake achieves seismic resistant compliance. The private sector has been badly hit, in particular the trade and industry and tourism sectors. The disaster will, at a minimum, affect the jobs and livelihoods of many people in the affected districts in a transitory manner. Although the Government is not obliged to compensate the private sector for damage and losses suffered as a result of the earthquake it still has an important role to play in facilitating the recovery of the private sector, as well as in providing direct assistance to farmers, fishermen and small entrepreneurs who have lost their capital and may not be able to cope with the shock on their own.

The West Sumatra earthquake was followed by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake the next day in Jambi province. Damage in Jambi has been concentrated in Kab. Kerinci and damage and losses arising from this disaster are relatively limited. Three people are reported dead, with damage and losses estimated at slightly over Rp 100 billion. As in the case of West Sumatra, a large share of the damage is to housing, with little information is yet available on damage to infrastructure and the productive sectors. This is the fourth major earthquake to hit Jambi in the past 15 years, suggesting a significant need to focus on improving the resilience of the province to such disasters in the future.

Government efforts should improve the regions preparedness to face similar disasters in the future. These are unlikely to be the last earthquakes to affect the region, given both its history and the recognition that its location is in an area that is prone to seismic activity. The region needs to prepare itself better for future disasters. This will entail efforts at all government levels to become more resilient to such events in the future, as well as to be able to respond quickly and effectively when such events occur. In 2007, the Government passed Disaster Management Law No. 24, which provides the foundations for the development of the Indonesian disaster risk management system, including the establishment of the BNPB. One of the fundamentals of a good recovery process is to integrate disaster mitigation and preparedness into the relief, rehabilitation and development process to reduce vulnerabilities in the community. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) measures for recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation represent a holistic approach for fine-tuning development processes through prevention, mitigation and preparedness combined with post-disaster response activities.

One of the most urgent DRR measures needed in West Sumatra is an effective tsunami warning and evacuation plan, including public education regarding evacuation routes. This is all the more important given that some seismologists believe that the potential remains for an even larger earthquake to strike West Sumatra, possibily with a magnitude of up to 8.5. The likelihood of such a major earthquake triggering a tsunami is high, and therefore reconstruction and rehabilitation should be undertaken with this possibility in mind.

A reconstruction strategy that reduces risks should entail the rebuilding of livelihoods, as well as efforts to promote and implement risk reduction measures in the reconstruction and rehabilitation effort. In practical terms, rebuilding livelihoods translates into a coordinated approach to provide income-generating activities for affected communities, which often take the form of cash transfer programs, cash-for-work or micro-finance activities. Measures to reduce the risks of disasters include the promotion of hazard-resilient construction for new buildings, especially schools and health centers, and the enforcement of strict building standards, especially for critical infrastructure. In addition, effective DRR requires addressing the existing issue of hazardous buildings, starting first with seismic retro-fitting of school buildings, health centers and key government buildings. Recognition of the importance of a DRR strategy should result in the elevation of DRR as a policy priority with the corresponding allocation of resources and using risk and vulnerability assessments in spatial planning and the planning of new infrastructure and facilities. The insurance industry can also play an important role by ensuring that insurance premiums properly reflect the risks of poor construction or non-compliance in insured buildings. Also important is the need to strengthen the capacity of local government institutions to protect ecosystems that can serve towards reducing disaster risks and combating environmental degradation that can amplify disaster risks.

 

1105 Tropical Storm Mirinae catches country by surprise [Vietnam]--Flooding is a frequent occurrence in Vietnam's central highlands so when forecasters warned that Tropical Storm Mirinae would hit on 2 November, officials and residents took the usual precautions.

Thousands were evacuated from low-lying areas, residents reinforced their homes with sandbags and fishing boats were ordered into port.

But despite those efforts - even as forecasters predicted that the storm would fizzle out - some 98 people lost their lives, and 20 are still missing.

According to the Central Committee for Flood and Storm Control (CCFSC), as of 4 November, more than 60,000 homes were flooded, damaged or had collapsed.

"The severity was surprising," Ian Wilderspin, a disaster risk reduction specialist with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) told IRIN in Hanoi.

"People were evacuated and there was a good level of preparedness", but the sustained heavy rains were not expected, he said.

Compounding the damage, the storm arrived as the region was still recovering from Typhoon Ketsana, which killed more than 160 people in Vietnam in September.

Phu Yen Province in central-southern Vietnam was the hardest hit, with 69 people dead.

Officials said 600mm of rain fell in a 24-hour period, turning roads into rivers and submerging entire towns. Rivers in five provinces passed Level 3, the government's highest designation.

All across the region, officials expressed surprise at the strength of the storm that has now been downgraded to a tropical depression.

"It's the heaviest rain in about 60 years," said Nguyen Van Thien, director of the CCFSC in Binh Dinh Province. "It's really a mess, with trees uprooted, houses collapsed or their roofs pulled off."

Relief has started to arrive now that the rains have subsided. Thien says the military is using helicopters to deliver instant noodles to people who are still stranded.

With 300,000 people living in flooded areas in Binh Dinh alone, the need for more supplies is expected to grow. Local authorities have asked for an additional 50 tonnes of food supplies from the central government.

Forecasting to blame?

Only last week, at a meeting in Hanoi to address Vietnam's weather forecasting abilities, government meteorologists were lamenting the country's outdated technology and inexperienced forecasters.

Vietnam lacks sufficient radar and air-sensing stations that measure air temperatures and humidity. Without proper equipment, forecasters are unable to accurately predict a storm's direction or give precise warnings about how much rain may fall.

"Compared to other countries, Vietnam's capacity, infrastructure, equipment and technology in terms of meteorological forecasting are very backward," Bui Minh Tang, director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting told state-run media.

"If you look at the scale and complexity of these storms, it's a challenge," acknowledged UNDP's Wilderspin.

As storms are predicted to hit Vietnam with more frequency and greater ferocity, the country will have to improve its identification of where they will hit and preparation for when they do.

"Vietnam's response to storms and flooding has radically improved in the past few years," said Wilderspin. The government now coordinates disaster preparedness and relief efforts with the UN and NGOs. Public warning systems are in place in many vulnerable areas.

"A lot can be done but a lot has been done to reduce the risk," he added.

 

 

1029 Update on H1N1 flu outbreak at male ward of Siu Lam Hospital [Hong Kong]--The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

Regarding an earlier announcement on 13 patients of a male ward in Siu Lam Hospital (SLH) confirmed with Human Swine Influenza, SLH announced the following updates today (October 29):

There are 13 more patients (aged 27 to 52) in the concerned ward and two other male wards presenting with fever and flu symptoms. Viral tests were arranged for the patients and they were confirmed with Human Swine Influenza.

One patient (aged 47) with epilepsy, Down’s syndrome and severe mental retardation was transferred to Intensive Care Unit of Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) today. He is in critical condition and requires ventilation support. He is prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. The remaining 12 patients are also being treated under isolation in TMH and in stable condition. We are closely monitoring the condition of all patients.

Infection control measures of the hospital have been stepped up. Admission to and discharge from the hospital are suspended, while restricted visiting policy is implemented. Patients’ relatives have been informed about the situation. All other patients and the staff in the hospital are under close surveillance.

The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow up.

 

 

1029 Total of 1,340 patients with flu-like symptoms attended clinics in past week [Hong Kong]--The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

Regarding the services of the eight Designated Flu Clinics (DFCs) and the confirmed human swine influenza patients admitted to public hospitals, the Hospital Authority today (October 29) provided the following wrap up of the past week:

In the past week (October 22 - 28), a total of 1,340 patients with flu-like symptoms attended the eight Designated Flu Clinics.

Among all confirmed human swine influenza patients, 115 confirmed patients are now staying in public hospitals for treatment, with 95 in stable condition, 11 serious and nine in critical condition.

The newly confirmed cases in the past week included 29 staff members of public hospitals (nine male and 20 female, including six doctors, 10 nurses, four allied health professionals, two administrative/clerical staff and seven supporting staff). So far there were 1,038 Hospital Authority staff members being confirmed as human swine influenza. Among them, 1,021 have already recovered and returned to work.

The Hospital Authority spokesman reminded the public that the test for human swine influenza was not routine now because the treatment of patients would not depend on the outcome of the test. Under normal circumstances, both DFCs and Accident & Emergency Departments will only conduct laboratory tests for human swine influenza on the following specific groups of patients:

* Pregnant women
* Children at or under 12-month-old
* Healthcare workers including staff from residential homes
* Patients living in institutions without outbreak
* Influenza patients with persistent fever (over 38 degrees Celsius) or whose condition deteriorate 48 hours after treatment

Public hospitals and clinics will only prescribe symptom control medication to influenza patients with mild condition. Patients can consider seeking consultation first with private hospitals and clinics.

 

 

1029 Designated Flu Clinics to adjust weekend and holiday opening hours [Hong Kong]--The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) today (October 29) announces the new opening hours for the eight Designated Flu Clinics (DFCs) on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from November 7 (Saturday), in view of alleviation in service demand.

"Starting from November 7, the eight DFCs will run a half-day service (9am to 1pm) during the weekends and public holidays, while full-day service (9am to 5pm) will be maintained every Mondays to Fridays," the HA spokesman said.

The spokesman pointed out that there had been a significant reduction in attendance in the eight DFCs since early October.

The HA spokesman said, "The average daily attendance has dropped from 1,253 in the last week of September to 266 in the week of October 15. Statistics also show a remarkable decrease in average attendance on Saturdays and Sundays - from 559 in the first week of October to 230 in the third week."

"The reduction in attendance is a reflection of a relieving flu situation in the community and is well-timed for the Hospital Authority to rationalise the resources to support the Government Vaccination Programme in preparation for the coming winter flu season," the HA spokesman added.

Posters and notices will be displayed in public hospitals and clinics to remind the public the new opening hours of DFCs on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. The Hospital Authority will continue to closely monitor the service demand at DFCs and adjust the service hours to meet the needs as and when necessary.

 

 

1028 Legislative query concerning passengers carrying oxygen cylinders on public transport [Hong Kong]--Following is a question by the Dr Hon Joseph Lee and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Ms Eva Cheng, at the Legislative Council meeting today (October 28):

Question:

It was reported that early this year a patient was not allowed to board public transport because she was carrying a portable oxygen cylinder. Moreover, an academic suggested such patients to choose travelling on Rehabuses. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether there are guidelines or relevant ordinances at present imposing restriction on people carrying portable oxygen cylinders travelling on public transport; if so, of the relevant details;

(b) whether it has plans to urge public transport operators to provide additional facilities, so as to assist people carrying portable oxygen cylinders in using public transport services; if it has such plans, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(c) of the existing number of Rehabuses and their utilisation rate; whether it had assessed in the past three years if the provision of Rehabus met the needs of the aforesaid patients, and of the relevant details?

Reply:

President,

(a) & (b) Compressed oxygen is one of the dangerous goods regulated under the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Chapter 295). As such, passengers carrying portable oxygen cylinders on board various major modes of public transport are governed by the relevant legislations at present. On this premise, relevant ordinances impose different restrictions on different modes of public transport with regard to their operations and services.

Some passengers need to bring along bottled compressed oxygen on medical grounds and use public transport. According to our understanding, frontline staff of major public transport operators will follow their internal guidelines and codes to facilitate passengers who require assistance as far as possible, on the conditions that safety and normal services are not affected and where the relevant laws permit. Besides, the Transport Department has, from time to time, reminded major public transport operators to implement guidelines and provide training to their staff to facilitate passengers who require assistance in so far as the relevant laws permit.

(c) Under the Government's welfare programme, we have given funding support to a non-governmental organisation to operate Rehabus service for those persons with disabilities (PWDs) who have difficulties in using general public transport. Rehabus service provides point-to-point transport services for these PWDs to go to work and school, to receive vocational rehabilitation training or participate in other social activities.

The demand for Rehabus service is high. The Government reviews the service annually and accordingly will bid for additional resources for acquiring new buses having regard to the service demand. In the past three years, the Government procured 17 new buses and replaced 41 old buses. In 2009-10, the Government has allocated $7.7 million for the purchase of 6 new buses and 4 replacement buses, thereby increasing the fleet size of Rehabus to 115 vehicles. The patronage of Rehabus service is expected to increase from 590,000 passenger trips in 2006 to over 660,000 passenger trips in 2009.

At present, for those PWDs who have difficulties in using general public transport, e.g., wheelchair users, they can bring along with them their essential life-supporting equipment, such as portable oxygen concentrators, portable oxygen cylinders, when travelling on rehabus provided that the quantity of such gas is within the limits of storage or conveyance stipulated in the Dangerous Goods (General) Regulations, Chapter 295B, Laws of Hong Kong. According to available information, Rehabus has provided transport service for those PWDs travelling with the above mentioned life-supporting equipment. However, statistics on the number of these passengers is not available, and no specific assessment on the service demand of these group of persons has been made.

 

 

1027 H1N1 outbreak at Male Ward of SLH [Hong Kong]--The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson for Siu Lam Hospital (SLH) issued the following announcement today (October 27):

Thirteen patients (aged 28 to 61) of a male ward in SLH have presented with fever and flu symptoms since October 24. Viral tests were arranged for them and all were subsequently confirmed with Human Swine Influenza. All the patients are being treated under isolation and are in stable condition.

Infection control measures of the concerned ward have already been stepped up. Admission to and discharge from the ward have been suspended, while restricted visiting policy has been implemented. Patients' relatives have been informed about the situation. All other patients and the staff in the ward are under close surveillance.

The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow up.

 

 

1027 Two new critical cases of human swine influenza [Hong Kong]--The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority today (October 27) announced two new critical cases of human swine influenza:

A 30-year-old female patient developed flu symptoms and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Prince of Wales Hosptial on October 25. She was admitted for clinical treatment and was prescribed Tamiflu and antibiotics. Her condition deteriorated on the same day and she was transferred to Intensive Care Unit and required ventilation support. Positive result of HSI was confirmed last night (October 26) and the hospital will continue to closely monitor her condition.

In addition, a 47-year-old male patient with flu symptoms was admitted to Intensive Care Unit via Accident and Emergency Department of Ruttonjee and Tang Shiu Kin Hospital on October 26. He was in critical condition and requires ventilation support. Positive result of HSI was confirmed today. The patient was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics and the hospital will closely monitor his condition.

 

 

1026 Two fatal cases of human swine influenza [Hong Kong]--The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The Hospital Authority today (October 26) announced two fatal cases of human swine influenza:

A 59-year-old female patient with Cervical myelopathy and Bilobar hepatocellular carcinoma attended the Special Outpateint Clinic of Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) on October 14, 2009 for follow-up consultation. The patient had fever and cough and was admitted to QMH for further management. Positive result of human swine influenza was confirmed on October 19. She was prescribed with Tamiflu and using 100% oxygen mask. Her condition continued to deteriorate and she succumbed at 10.02am yesterday (October 25).

In addition, a 60-year-old male patient was admitted to Intensive Care Unit via Accident and Emergency Department of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital for further management owing to physical illness on October 24. Positive result of HSI was confirmed on the same day. The patient required ventilation support and was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. The patient's condition continued to deteriorate and he succumbed today at 9.47am (October 26). The patient had good past health record.

The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection. The hospital would like to express its condolences to the deceased's family.

 

 

1024 A fatal case of human swine influenza at TMH [Hong Kong]--The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson of Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the announcement regarding the death of a human swine influenza (HSI) patient today (October 24):

A 14-year-old female patient with cerebral palsy was admitted to paediatrics isolation ward for treatment due to fever and cough on October 7. Positive result of HSI confirmed on the same day. Her condition became critical on October 8 and she was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit and required ventilation support. Tamiflu and antibiotics were prescribed. The patient succumbed today (October 24). The hospital would like to express condolences to the patient's family.

The case was reported to Hospital Authority Head Office and Centre for Health Protection.

 

 

1023 Fatal case of human swine influenza at Queen Elizabeth Hospital [Hong Kong]--The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) made the following announcement regarding the death of a human swine influenza (HSI) patient today (October 23) :

A 45-year-old male patient with nasopharyngeal cancer was admitted to the isolation ward for treatment due to pneumonia on October 10. Positive result for HSI was confirmed on October 11 and his condition became critical on the same day. He was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit and required ventilation support. Tamiflu and antibiotics were prescribed. The patient was certified dead last night (October 22) at 9.45pm. The hospital would like to express condolences to the patient's family.

The case was reported to Hospital Authority Head Office and Centre for Health Protection.

 

 

1023 Very high Air Pollution Index in the next few days expected [Hong Kong]--The Air Pollution Index reached the "very high" band at all the three roadside stations starting yesterday, with nitrogen dioxide being the culprit pollutant, a spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department said today (October 23).

At 3pm today, the API at Central, Causeway Bay and Mong Kok roadside stations were respectively 160, 121 and 120. In addition, the general station at Tung Chung also recorded "very high" API at 105 due to ozone at the same time.

The spokesman said under the combined effects of a continental airstream and the subsidence air of tropical storm "Lupit", the weather was fine and dry with light wind in the region today. The strong sunshine enhanced the photochemical smog activity and formation of an ozone region. The pollutants could not disperse effectively under the light wind and higher levels of ozone had been recorded in the general stations.

"The very high roadside API readings are caused by the trapping of pollutants emitted from vehicles under the poor dispersion in the urban area under the light wind, coupled with elevated regional background pollution levels.

"According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the weather will be dry and hazy with light wind in the coming few days. We expect that the background pollution will still be higher than usual while the dispersion in urban areas will be poor. The roadside and general API will remain higher than normal in the next few days," added the spokesman.

The spokesman advised that with an API in the very high range, people with heart or respiratory illnesses should reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities, and avoid prolonged stay in roads and streets with heavy traffic.

Members of the public can check the current API readings from the EPD's website at (www.epd-asg.gov.hk/eindex.php) or by calling the hotline at 2827 8541.

 

 

1022 Detection of human swine influenza virus resistant to Tamiflu [Hong Kong]--The Department of Health's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) today (October 22) detected a strain of human swine influenza (HSI) virus which was resistant to oseltamivir (Tamiflu).

A department spokesman said the virus was identified during PHLSB's sensitivity test of HSI virus to oseltamivir and zanamivir.

"This is the fourth time Tamiflu resistance in HSI virus is found in Hong Kong and is the third local case.

"Tests showed that this strain is sensitive to zanamivir (Relenza)," he said.

The virus was isolated from the specimen taken from a 16-year-old girl who developed flu-like symptoms on September 14 and attended a Designated Flu Clinic on September 16.

Her respiratory specimen tested positive for HSI.

Further test results today showed that the virus was resistant to Tamiflu. She had no history of taking Tamiflu before the specimen was taken.

The girl has already recovered. Investigations revealed that her five family members did not have respiratory symptoms. There was no recent influenza-like-illness outbreak in the school she attended.

The spokesman said that PHLSB conducted routine sensitivity tests on specimens taken from confirmed HSI patients.

So far more than 5,000 HSI samples had been tested for anti-viral sensitivity in Hong Kong.

The case will be reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the spokesman said.

He reiterated that Hong Kong had an intensive surveillance system of antiviral resistant influenza viruses.

"We will closely liaise with the WHO and overseas health authorities to monitor the global development of antiviral-resistant HSI virus," he said.

 

 

1022 1,863 patients with flu-like symptoms attended designated clinics in past week [Hong Kong]--The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

Regarding the services of the eight Designated Flu Clinics (DFCs) and the confirmed human swine influenza patients admitted to public hospitals, the Hospital Authority (HA) today (October 22) provided the following wrap up of the past week:

In the past week (October 15 - 21), a total of 1,863 patients with flu-like symptoms attended the Designated Flu Clinics.

Among all confirmed human swine influenza patients, 113 confirmed patients are now staying in public hospitals for treatment, with 87 in stable condition, 14 in serious and 12 in critical condition.

Furthermore, the newly confirmed cases in the past week included 38 staff members of public hospitals (nine male and 29 female, comprising three doctors, 16 nurses, seven allied health professionals, three administrative/clerical staff and nine supporting staff). So far 1,009 HA staff members have been confirmed with human swine influenza. Among them, 971 have already recovered and returned to work.

The HA spokesman reminded the public that the test for human swine influenza is not routine now because the treatment of patients would not depend on the outcome of the test. Under normal circumstances, both DFCs and Accident & Emergency Departments will only conduct laboratory tests for human swine influenza on the following specific groups of patients:

-Pregnant women
-Children at or under 12 months old
-Healthcare workers including staff from residential homes
-Patients living in institutions without an outbreak
-Influenza patients with persistent fever (over 38°C) or whose condition deteriorates 48 hours after treatment

Public hospitals and clinics will only prescribe symptom control medication to influenza patients with mild condition. Patients can consider seeking consultation first with private doctors and clinics.

 

 

1021 A critical case of human swine influenza at Queen Elizabeth Hospital [Hong Kong]--The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) made the following announcement regarding a critical human swine influenza (HSI) patient today (October 21):

A 54-year-old male patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease developed flu symptoms on October 16, and attended the Accident and Emergency Department of QEH on the same day. He was admitted to the isolation ward for treatment. Positive result for human swine influenza was confirmed on October 17 and he was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics. His condition deteriorated on October 20 and he was transferred to the intensive care unit and requires ventilation support. The hospital will continue to closely monitor his condition.

 

 

1020 Fatal case of human swine influenza at Queen Elizabeth Hospital [Hong Kong]--The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson of Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) made the following announcement regarding the death of a human swine influenza (HSI) patient today (October 20).

A 27-year-old male patient with a history of intravenous astrocytoma, hydrocephalus, epilepsy and hypothyroidism was admitted to the medical ward via the Accident & Emergency Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital on September 28. The patient, confirmed as human swine influenza positive and in a deteriorating condition, was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for further treatment with mechanical ventilator support on October 2. Tamiflu and antibiotics were prescribed to him. The patient was certified dead today (October 20) at 7.05am. The Hospital would like to express its condolences to the patient's family.

The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and Centre for Health Protection.

 

 

1019 CHP investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease involving 69-year-old man [Hong Kong]--The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a confirmed case of Legionnaires' Disease involving a 69-year-old man.

The patient, living in Wong Tai Sin, developed fever, dizziness, chills and rigours on October 5 and was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on October 13. He is now in stable condition.

His urine sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila.

CHP's investigation showed that he had travelled to the Mainland recently. His wife is asymptomatic.

This is the 34th case of Legionnaires' Disease reported this year. Thirteen cases were reported in 2008, 11 in 2007 and 16 in 2006.

 

 

1016 A critical case of human swine influenza at Princess Margaret Hospital [Hong Kong]--The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement regarding a newly confirmed critical human swine influenza case today (October 16):

A 55-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and renal disease developed flu symptoms and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit via the Accident & Emergency Department of PMH on October 15. He was prescribed with Tamiflu and antibiotics on the same day. Positive result for human swine influenza was confirmed today (October 16). The hospital will continue to closely monitor his condition.

 

 

1015 CHP investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease [Hong Kong]--The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a confirmed case of Legionnaires' Disease involving a 65-year-old man.

The patient, living in Kennedy Town, developed fever, cough, shortness of breath and headache on October 11 and was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital on the same day. He is now in critical condition.

His urine sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila.

The CHP's investigation showed that he had no recent travel history.

This is the 33rd case of Legionnaires' Disease reported this year. Thirteen cases were reported in 2008, 11 in 2007 and 16 in 2006.

 

 

1015 3,240 patients with flu-like symptoms attended designated clinics in past week [Hong Kong]--The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

Regarding the services of the eight Designated Flu Clinics (DFCs) and the confirmed human swine influenza patients admitted to public hospitals, the Hospital Authority (HA) today (October 15) provided the following wrap up of the past week:

In the past week (October 8-14), a total of 3,240 patients with flu-like symptoms attended the Designated Flu Clinics.

Among all confirmed human swine influenza patients, 143 are now staying in public hospitals for treatment, with 119 in stable condition, eight in serious and 16 in critical condition.

Furthermore, the newly confirmed cases in the past week included 65 staff members of public hospitals (15 male and 50 female, comprising four doctors, 29 nurses, seven allied health professionals, eight administrative/clerical staff and 17 supporting staff). So far 971 HA staff members have been confirmed with human swine influenza. Among them, 917 have already recovered and returned to work.

The HA spokesman reminded the public that testing for human swine influenza is not routine now because the treatment of patients would not depend on the outcome of the test. Under normal circumstances, both DFCs and Accident & Emergency Departments will only conduct laboratory tests for human swine influenza on the following specific groups of patients:

*Pregnant women
*Children at or under 12-month-old
*Healthcare workers including staff from residential homes
*Patients living in institutions without outbreak
*Influenza patients with persistent fever (over 38°C) or whose condition deteriorate 48 hours after treatment

Public hospitals and clinics will only prescribe symptom control medication to influenza patients with mild condition. Patients can consider seeking consultation first with private hospitals and clinics.

 

 

1013 New lease of life for traditional medicine [Myanmar]--Four years after contracting rheumatic fever, Mee Naing, 28, finally beat the disease with the help of traditional medicine.

Rheumatic fever can recur if not treated with long-term antibiotics, but because Mee Naing could not afford the medicine, she suffered from a bad bout of the disease for many months.

She finally went to a traditional medicine clinic and underwent a course of pills and balms and her health gradually improved.

"Whatever ailments I have, nowadays I take traditional drugs, which I can afford," said Mee Naing, whose monthly income as a marketing assistant is less than US$40.

More than 85 percent of country's population of about 57.5 million uses traditional medicines, according to government figures, partly to supplement western medicine and partly as an alternative.

"Traditional medicine is quite affordable and accessible for people from all walks of life, which are the fundamental reasons why most people use it," Maung Nyan, president of the Myanmar Traditional Medicine Practitioners' Association, told IRIN.

Practitioners say people in rural areas - about 70 percent of Myanmar's population - rely more on traditional medicine than in urban areas, since it is more widely available and affordable than western medicine.

Traditional medicine is also 10-20 times cheaper than western medicine - a huge factor when 32.7 percent of people live below the poverty line, according to specialists.

Government promotion

Traditional medicine, in the form of pills, powders and balms, has been used in Myanmar since 600 BC, but only recently has the government moved to formalize its role in the healthcare system.

A Traditional Medicine Drug Law introduced in 1996 controls the quality, production and sale of the drugs. The government has also introduced good manufacturing practices, while the production, packaging and storage of medicines have been modernized.

These standards mean that "public trust and confidence in indigenous drugs has greatly been enhanced", notes the World Health Organization in Myanmar in its 2009 health report for the country.

"There is a progressive increase in demand for traditional medicine not only in rural areas but also in urban areas," it states.

There are 14 traditional medicine hospitals, and 237 district and township clinics and sub-centres across the country, while there are more than 10,000 practitioners, according to the Myanmar Traditional Medicine Practitioners' Association.

In 2007, the government established the first national herbal park on 81 hectares of land in the new capital, Naypyidaw, to grow plants to treat diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, diabetes, hypertension, malaria and tuberculosis.

A long tradition

"Traditional medicine has regained its golden age," said Aung Naing, who practises both traditional and western medicine, choosing one or the other depending on a patient's illness.

Most traditional practitioners combine traditional medicines with western equipment, such as blood pressure monitors.

"Traditional medicine is very effective in curing chronic diseases such as diabetes, rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, stroke, paralysis, motor paralysis, malaria, and menstrual disorders," said Mya Win, 66, who has practised traditional medicine for 49 years.

While it cannot cure diseases such as cancer or HIV/AIDS, it has fewer side-effects than western medicine, said Mya Win.

Knowledge of Burmese traditional medicine has been handed down from generation to generation for centuries, and is influenced by traditions from neighbouring countries such as India and China.

Most of the medicines are of plant origin, although animal, mineral or aquatic material is also used.

In 1976, the government established the Institute of Myanmar Traditional Medicine to train traditional medicine practitioners, while the University of Myanmar Traditional Medicine was established in Mandalay in 2001. The curriculum covers traditional medicine, science and basic concepts of western medicine.

"Today, more and more young people are interested in learning traditional medicine as the role of the medicine becomes larger and larger in the country," Aung Myint, the university's rector, told IRIN.

 

 

1013 Pregnant women vulnerable in evacuation camps [Philippines]--Nine months pregnant with her first child, Chona de la Cruz, 30, waded through murky flood waters amid heavy rain to reach a government hospital in Manila's suburban Cainta district.

But the hospital, which was partly submerged by floods brought by tropical storm Ketsana on 26 September, was overwhelmed and almost turned her away.

"I don't want to deliver my baby in an evacuation camp," De la Cruz sobbed, as more than 500 other pregnant women crowded the Bagong Cainta Municipal Hospital seeking medical and hygiene kits. "This is my first time to be a mother and I don't know what to do."

De la Cruz and her husband, a construction worker, had been crammed into an evacuation camp with more than 800 people in a covered basketball court at Lakas-Tao, a Cainta slum. Some areas were still submerged in sludgy water more than two weeks after Ketsana hit.

When the flood waters first rose, her husband found a tyre tube, which they used to float through neck-deep waters to safety. "But it was too cold and I spent many hours in the water. I am afraid I may have caught diseases," she said.

Nearby, Racquel Pascual, 21, eight months pregnant with her fifth child, and all her belongings washed away - including the money she had saved for the birth – said she too had nowhere to go.

"I am resigned to the fact that I may give birth in an evacuation centre, and my poor baby may get infections there," she said.

Neglected

The women are only two of the estimated 14,000 pregnant women exposed to septic surroundings at evacuation camps. Their plight has been neglected as an overwhelmed government struggles to come to terms with the magnitude of the flooding.

After Ketsana, super-typhoon Parma slammed into northern Luzon island on 3 October, bringing week-long rains that triggered heavy landslides and flooding, further deepening the crisis. The death toll from Parma has reached almost 300, while the toll from Ketsana is 337, the government said.

More than 6.3 million people have been affected by the killer storms, over 400,000 of whom are in evacuation centres. Many areas were still isolated by landslides as of 12 October, and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the US military have scheduled airlifting tonnes of food to the devastated areas.

When Ketsana hit, the priority was to save those trapped by the floods, then find evacuation sites for the hundreds of thousands who lost their homes. And with much of the health infrastructure destroyed in Manila's eastern suburbs, these pregnant women have been largely neglected, the UN Population Fund's (UNFPA) Philippines country director, Suneeta Mukherjee, told IRIN.

"They are very vulnerable because they can't stop from delivering when their time comes," Mukherjee said. "The number one problem is that the whole thing could be septic, the mother and the baby could get infected and die."

Appeal for help

Mukherjee said UNFPA had done rapid assessments of various evacuation camps, and linked up with volunteer organizations, including enlisting the help of an association of midwives, who have been dispatched to selected areas.

"There are a lot of pregnant and post-partum women in the evacuation centres who do not have access to prenatal, natal and post-natal care. We cannot allow this situation to continue," Mukherjee said.

Cainta's municipal health chief, Glenda Abellanosa, said that only three of the area's 27 free health centres were still standing. With medical workers themselves left homeless, she said all international help was welcome.

"Many of these pregnant women may return to their homes, and we will not be able to monitor them," she told IRIN. "We want to help everyone, but we simply can't, because we have gone beyond our capacity."
 

 

1013 Diseases strike West Sumatra quake survivors [Indonesia]--Survivors of a severe earthquake that struck Indonesia's West Sumatra province have developed illnesses caused by poor living conditions, say medical workers, while shelter and food remain key concerns almost two weeks after the disaster.

In Padang Pariaman district, one of the areas hardest hit by the 30 September earthquake, survivors have contracted respiratory infections, and suffered diarrhoea and skin problems, said Werrizal Amsir, medical coordinator for the local Ibu Foundation aid group.

And in the Kotobaru village of the Padang Sagoe subdistrict, many residents were infected with conjunctivitis (or pink eye), said Amsir.

“We have treated more than 1,500 with various post-disaster diseases. Many of the survivors slept in the open so they were exposed to dust, heat and poor hygiene,” Amsir told IRIN.

Amsir, a doctor, said his team of 14 volunteers was trying to access remote areas that had received little or no aid.

With shelter a priority, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned that thousands of people who had lost their homes and belongings needed medical attention.

“Many people now live in the open … in poor hygiene conditions and have little access to clean water,” said Loreto Barceló, a doctor with MSF, in a statement on 9 October.

“We can expect many respiratory tract infections, diarrhoea, and other pathologies that result from these poor living conditions,” he said.

Shelter issues

However, National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) spokesman Priyadi Kardono said there were no major health issues in quake-affected areas, even though shelter and food remained key problems in more remote villages.

“There were cases of respiratory tract infections and diarrhoea but there has been no major outbreak of infectious disease,” he told IRIN.

Kardono also said 80 percent of electricity had been restored, but water pipes in some areas were still damaged.

“Because electricity is running, people can use their electric water pumps. We have been delivering water to households that do not have electric water pumps,” he said.

Funding appeal

The BNPB says at least 809 people were killed in the magnitude 7.6 quake. Another 241 are listed as missing, with all but four of them in Padang Pariaman, where landslides triggered by the quake buried entire hamlets.

The quake also left 1,250 people injured and more than 135,300 buildings severely damaged.

The BNPB said on its website on 11 October that relief supplies had reached almost all affected areas, while the number of medical personnel was sufficient to care for survivors.

Mass vaccination and fumigation had also been carried out, while all community clinics were functioning.

The UN on 9 October launched a US$38 million appeal to help the Indonesian government meet the needs of communities affected by the earthquake for the next three months.

Drafted with the government, the appeal covers projects run by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as international NGOs.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its 11 October situation report that 8.025T of hulled rice was needed to feed 133,739 households for one month.

OCHA said the BNPB had indicated that the stock of relief items for the next distribution was limited.

At least 662 school tents were needed to accommodate students returning to school, it said.

Meanwhile, WFP has distributed 800T of rice, and 15T of biscuits for infants as well as blankets and tents, the BNPB said.

UNICEF has delivered more than 100 water storage containers - each with sufficient capacity for 5,000 litres of clean water - 20,000 jerry cans; 2,000 packages of water purification tablets; 40,000 hygiene kits containing buckets, soap, detergent; 250 school tents and 120 sets of school and recreational materials.
 

 

1013 Analysis: Afghan health NGOs - a mixed blessing? [Afghanistan]--Funded by international donors, the Afghan Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has contracted dozens of NGOs to deliver basic health services over the past few years, but some analysts argue the government has grown too dependent and it is not a sustainable policy.

NGO workers provide health services to millions of people through public hospitals, clinics and other health facilities in urban and rural areas.

"Afghanistan has made impressive progress in the health sector over the past seven years," Peter Graaff, country representative of the UN World Health Organization (WHO), told IRIN.

Donors have also praised progress: "With World Bank support in 18 provinces since 2003, the number of health facilities has nearly tripled from 148 to 421... Health care for expectant mothers has expanded, with the number of deliveries assisted in facility [in hospitals, clinics and health centres] by trained health workers jumping from six to 23 percent," said Abdul Rauf Zia, a spokesman for the World Bank in Kabul.

The number of pregnant women who received at least one prenatal care visit rose from just 8,500 in 2003 to 188,670 in 2008; around 20,000 community health workers - half of them women - have been trained and deployed, "increasing access to family planning and boosting childhood vaccinations", Zia said.

Aid dependent

Despite evident progress, Afghanistan's health indicators are still ranked among the worst in the world, according to aid agencies - and the health system is heavily dependent on foreign aid.

About US$1 billion worth of aid money has been spent on health services and on re-building the health sector over the past five years, according to MoPH.

The MoPH effectively has three budgets: a small government budget to cover running costs, financed out of government revenue; a much larger development budget funded by multinational donors via the government; and an external budget funded directly by donors for specific health projects.

"It is a donor-dependent public health system," said WHO's Graaff.

"The aid dependency ratio in Afghanistan is one of the highest in the world," said the World Bank's Zia, and the situation is fuelling concern about the long-term sustainability of the existing health services.

Many donors have committed themselves to long-term aid programmes because of their strong military, strategic and political engagement, but this should not lead to reliance on permanent donor funding, experts warn.

Lower or negative growth in donor countries might adversely impact future aid flows, said Zia, and observers say military withdrawal by some NATO-member nations could also gradually affect aid flows.

Quick fixes?

One of the reasons why NGOs have been awarded contracts to deliver health services is the shortage of professional health workers in rural areas.

Some experts say NGOs are favoured by donors who think NGOs are better able to deliver than the government. But most NGOs pay their staff several times more than government employees, prompting a brain-drain from some government offices.

"The public sector is in a weak position to compete with the donor-supported NGOs for scarce resources," said a WHO bulletin in September 2007.

Some argue that this situation is not sustainable in the long term: "NGOs currently have short-term contracts and lack long-term vision in healthcare delivery. They have few incentives to invest in facility development or in the maintenance and repair of biomedical equipment," said the WHO bulletin.

NGOs are believed to be good at implementing quick impact projects, which some donors and politicians like to sell to the public to garner support, according to experts.

"NGOs only offer makeshift solutions; donors must help the government to build a viable healthcare infrastructure," said Haroun Koshan, an independent medical expert in Kabul.

On the other hand, Rafi Aziz, deputy director of Save the Children in Kabul, confirmed his agency's long-term commitment: "We stand ready for a long-term partnership," he said, adding: "The short-term or long-term objectives of a project depend on its nature and contractual period and not on the identity of its implementer."

NGO scorecards

"Some NGOs are wonderful but the same cannot be said of all [of them]," said Graaff.

Despite its limited capacity and access restrictions in insecure areas, the MoPH has been monitoring NGO performance through a balanced scorecard approach since 2004. This allows MoPH and donors to measure and manage quality, and hold contracted NGOs accountable.

"Data from annual facility assessments, patient-provider observations, and patient exit interviews are synthesized to produce a one-page scorecard on the primary care health system at national and provincial levels," said a joint report by MoPH, the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University and the Indian Institute of Health Management Research in 2006.

The report presented a mixed picture of weak and strong performance by NGOs involved in health projects.

For instance, there were deficiencies in the provision of some services such as delivery care, laboratory services, and the registration of tuberculosis patients. But there were also a number of positive areas such as "performance in overall patient satisfaction; availability of essential drugs and family planning supplies; physical examinations and the taking of patient histories; provision of antenatal care; user fee guidelines; and exemptions for poor patients."

In January 2009, the government named five local and international NGOs which had failed to deliver health services according to their contracts.

In a blunt message Health Minister Mohammad Amin Fatimi said "The NGOs outsourced by MoPH for the implementation of BPHS [basic package of health services] should abide by the health laws and regulations of Afghanistan and respect the contracts signed with MoPH. We will not tolerate any misconduct or lack of respect to the contracts and to the health and nutrition strategy/policy of Afghanistan by any NGOs."
 

 

1013 Polio outbreak in Swat [Pakistan]--Health officials say 13 cases of polio have been confirmed in Pakistan's volatile Swat District over the past four months, mainly because vaccinators have been unable to access children there for over a year.

Fierce fighting between government troops and Taliban militants, which began in May, has displaced hundreds of thousands of people from Swat. Before the army campaign in the area which ended in July, militants had prevented access for anti-polio teams.

"The Swat District currently has a polio outbreak. However, the good news is that we were able to immunize children who had left these areas. Upon their return we were able to immunize a significant proportion of children during a campaign in September," Melissa Corkum, polio programme coordination specialist with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Islamabad, told IRIN.

She said a three-day anti-polio campaign in Swat had begun on 12 October.

"This time I will get my one-year-old daughter protected against polio. My son, who is five, has had drops several times before. Once I took him to a hospital in Peshawar to get them, because the Taliban in control here at that time said anyone vaccinating children would be punished," Imran Gul, a Swat resident, told IRIN.

Sixty-two cases of polio have been confirmed so far this year in Pakistan, with 35 in North West Frontier Province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

"These include 12 cases in the militancy-hit Bajuar Agency and 13 in Swat District," NWFP Health Director-General Fazal Mahmood said.

"The good thing is that most people are conscious they have missed out on vaccinations and are keen to get them now," said Hassan Khan, a Mingora-based physician.

According to the World Health Organization, Pakistan and Afghanistan are among four countries in the world where polio is still considered endemic.
 

 

1004 Flood relief operations at war footing by the IAF helicopters [India]--Following a request from the Karnataka and Andhra state governments to assist it in the relief and rescue operation, Training Command responded to the call and immediately launched helicopters and fixed wing acs for rescue and relief operations. A round-the-clock flood relief cell had been set up at Air Force station Yelahanka and Hakimpet to meet the situation. The meteorological department of Air Force station Yelahanka had also been activated to assist the civic authorities in respect of weather warning round-the-clock.

In Karnataka the worst affected have been the Bellary and Raichur districts. The first helicopter with the specialist equipment to winch up survivors got airborne early morning on 02 Oct for the affected areas.

By afternoon six helicopters of IAF station Yelahanka flew 12 sorties, dropping about 750 Kgs of relief material mainly food packets in and around the flood-hit areas and saving 43 of lives by carrying out live winching.

Air Cmde V S Bharti, the Air Officer Commanding air force station Yelahanka, who is overlooking the flood relief operations, said, "Intermittent rains and thunderstorms are affecting the operations." However, IAF would provide relief and succor to the affected population despite inclement weather.

In all, the IAF helicopters saved precious lives in the flood-affected. They came as the last hope to the hapless victims especially women and infants perched precariously atop trees, temples, poles, and the roofs of their houses and hutments and even Buses.

The Indian Air Force personnel evacuated about 12 people caught, in neck-level deep water in low-lying areas of the Bellary district and dropped them at safe places; In addition 32 lives were saved from Mantralayam in Raichur district. The crew of the helicopter would hover close to the rooftops on which the people had gathered in the low-lying areas, with flood waters lapping at their bodies. One by one, the people were tied to a harness and winched up into the helicopter, once full; the helicopter would fly away to the safe ground to disgorge the survivors.

 

1004 FEMA update on continued federal preparedness and response efforts in the Pacific [Washington DC]--The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is into its fifth day of response and federal support to American Samoa. At the same time, FEMA and other federal partners remain engaged in preparedness efforts throughout the Pacific.

FEMA and federal teams, through the Federal Coordinating Officer, continue to work closely with American Samoan Governor Togiola Tulafono, as well as Delegate Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, to provide response in areas of American Samoa impacted by Tuesday's tsunami. The information below represents the progress of resources and supplies into the island territory in the aftermath of the tsunami. The information is current as of 12:00 p.m. EDT.

"In addition to our efforts in support of the Governor of American Samoa, we recognize the significant impact of current disasters in other Pacific regions, including Indonesia, the Philippines and Taiwan," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "We are working closely with the Governor to meet his priorities as federal support continues to flow into American Samoa. As we continue to respond and recover in U.S. Territories, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in harms way. These events remind us how important preparedness and teamwork are to saving lives and ultimately rebuilding communities."

A team of more than 300 responders from FEMA, American Red Cross, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies are on the ground in American Samoa. These personnel comprise the immediate response force, including Incident Management Assessment Teams (IMAT), Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT), and Public Health Assistance Teams. Other personnel are assisting with community efforts.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG), National Guard, and United States Navy have provided critical transport of the life-saving and life-sustaining supplies and equipment to meet the immediate needs of the survivors, including more than 26,000 meals, 14,000 liters of water, 1,800 blankets, 800 tents, more than 800 cots, and nine pallets of medical supplies and medical equipment in support of the territory's mass care operations. Several generators have been deployed, with more on the way. These generators will supply communities and critical infrastructure with power. In accordance with the governor's priority recovery efforts, debris removal planning is also underway and recovery specialists, including a housing planning team, are being identified and assembled

As residents begin to return to their homes, FEMA cautions them to be safe. FEMA cautions all persons on the island to be aware of potential hazards and advises that residents continue to follow guidance of local officials in clearing debris.

FEMA continues to coordinate with our federal partners, providing the following support to the region. Additional information on response and recovery efforts can be found below:

American Red Cross (ARC): ARC has conducted a preliminary disaster assessment and reports extensive destruction west of Leone, City of Pago Pago and the eastern most portion of the island. ARC continues to deploy volunteers on the ground in American Samoa providing food and supplies in affected areas; deploying additional equipment such as computers, cell phones and satellite phones. The Red Cross has activated their Safe and Well program to assist families with finding missing loved ones and is assisting shelter residents with registration on the website.

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG): Port assessments report no significant pollution and no obstructions to commercial traffic. The Navigation Team has completed the assessment of water navigation aids for American Samoa and the surrounding islands; all aids are intact and considered ready to support day and night operations.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Disaster Medical Assistance Teams are providing medical support to survivors; a public health official has been deployed along with other support staff including public health experts; providing medical and pharmaceutical equipment and supplies.

U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI): DOI representative assisting the FEMA National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) with response and recovery planning.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): Analysts at the USGS National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) are providing a range of information products to support emergency response and relief operations and will be conducting a post-tsunami investigation.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE): USACE reports the water system on American Samoa is functioning to near normal capacity but pressure is limited in some areas. Soldiers from the 249th Prime Power Engineer Battalion are assisting with the management of the Honolulu District's Emergency Power PRT with the installation of FEMA generators at critical prioritized life-saving and life-sustaining public facilities like shelters, sewer and water treatment plants or emergency management and response facilities.

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD): Defense Coordinating Officer assisting with IMATs.

National Guard Bureau (NGB): A fourth National Guard C-17 delivered Joint Task Force (JTF) equipment; JTF personnel augmenting the FEMA Damage Assessment Teams; Hawaii National Guard's 93rd Civil Support Team (CST) conducting medical support and HAZMAT surveys, Hawaii National Guard's CERFP (Chemical, Biological, Radiological Nuclear Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package) performing mobile medical missions and clearing debris.

Small Business Administration (SBA): Deploying assistance workers to assist in recovery efforts; SBA customer service representatives will issue disaster loan applications, explain the process and answer questions.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS): The IRS is postponing certain deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For details and additional information please visit www.irs.gov, use keyword American Samoa Tsunami.

Non-governmental organizations, including the American Red Cross and other voluntary and faith-based groups, are also providing assistance to the impacted region. Financial contributions to disaster relief organizations in the form of cash donations will allow voluntary organizations to fund response and recovery efforts quickly and provide goods and services to disaster survivors. Information for volunteer and donation efforts can be found at: www.fema.gov/donations or www.redcross.org/.

In addition to response efforts in American Samoa, FEMA and its partners also continue to monitor Typhoon Melor, and are prepared to respond to any potential impact on the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. As the storm fully passes, the CNMI and FEMA will conduct damage assessments to affected areas. FEMA has pre-positioned equipment and critical supplies in Hawaii and Guam. Key federal personnel, including an Incident Management Assistance Team and other key federal responders, have been deployed to Guam for rapid transport to affected areas. Personnel are already on the ground in Saipan - the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands.

 

1004 PMI provides free satellite phone service in affected areas [Indonesia]--To date, many people who live outside of West Sumatra Province are still worried about their families and relatives in the affected areas. Also, the survivors are keen to communicate their condition to their families and relatives domicile in non-affected areas. The telecommunication access in the location for couple last days was very limited and this makes people worry

One of PMI programme is specialized in restoring family links (RFL). Now, PMI team starts to implement this activity on the ground by serving a free satellite phone at PMI Chapter West Sumatra Centre. The RFL is one of specific service of PMI in emergency response.

From the data, RFL team has eight personnel. They are working in the hospitals and keep on recording the victims' identities every day. The data of those identities are displayed on the hospitals' walls then people can see and search their families or relatives easily.

"So far, RFL team of PMI has conducted assessment in three hospitals; M. Jamil Hospital, Yos Sudarso Hospital and Army Hospital. Besides compiling victims' identities, we also have installed satellite phones to serve the survivors in contacting their relatives for free in the affected areas," Umi Alfiah, the RFL Emergency Response Coordinator PMI NHQ, explained via telephone last Saturday afternoon (3/10).

After this service has started, there were 30 people benefited from this free satellite phone service to contact their relatives out of town even to out of town. This service is needed when regular telecommunication in the location has not stabilized yet.

"We hope by having these phones installed, and then communities affected by the earthquake are able to contact their families or relatives to communicate their condition in the location," Alfi said.

This satellite phone is available at PMI Chapter West Sumatra Centre, Sisingamangaraja Street No. 34, Padang. It is also planned to install another one in Pariaman District.*

 

1004 Ketsana casualties up to 162 [Viet Nam]--Although floods are receding at a slow pace, isolated areas in Kon Tum, Quang Ngai and Quang Nam provinces become more and more accessible.

Unfortunately, casualties have increased to 162. 14 people are still missing and 616 people have been injured. CCFSC has published a first detailed list of casualties, containing names, age, place of residence, and date and cause of death.

The national and international responses in the aftermath of the typhoon are continuing and increasing. Roads are being cleared, streets are cleaned, power is restored and emergency relief is being delivered to all affected areas, especially in isolated and badly affected areas like Quang Ngai and Kon Tum provinces. The Government of Vietnam, at various ministerial and local levels, has launched successful appeals and donation campaigns.

Overall situation:

- Rains still affecting Central Highlands provinces. River and flood levels are decreasing, but streets in cities like Hoi An and large areas in Quang Tri province still flooded. Large areas of Da Nang are covered in mud as the waters that flooded the city for days recede. Quang Ngai and Kon Tum provinces suffered the most damage.

- So far, 600.000 people have been evacuated to safer areas.

- Current forecasts predict typhoon PARMA not heading towards Vietnam, but more North-East towards Japan. The situation is closely monitored and alerts will be disseminated whenever required.

National response:

- MARD Vice Minister Dr. Hoc will chair an information meeting on the Ketsana aftermath during which rapid assessment teams will present their findings. The meeting takes place Tuesday 6th October at 3 pm, MARD building, 2 Ngoc Ha Street, Ha Noi.

- The Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Health, Education and Training, Information and Communications in conjunction with the provincial People's Committees continue to coordinate relief and recovery efforts.

- The Roads and Transportation department is working on the repair of major roads IV and V, to avoid traffic congestion, and ensure smooth traffic and safety of the roads. The Ministry of Transport has ordered the clearing of rubble from landslides on a section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail between Quang Tri and Kon Tum and reopen the road within 20 days. The railway is expected to have repaired a section of the track damaged in Binh Son District, Quang Ngai Province, by October 2.

- Electricity of Vietnam has carried out repairs and resumed supply to over 80 percent of the people in the central region. But with further repairs being impaired by flood waters, the remaining damage will be fixed when the floods recede.

- The Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting – Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, is continuously monitoring rainfall and flooding, and providing updated information and forecasts. It has close contact with the local authorities.

- the Department of Water Resources sent experts to the provinces Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ghai and Kon Tum, to assess the damage to the irrigation channels and systems. They will instruct restoration works to ensure the crop production for the winter 2009-2010.

Donation campaigns:

- The Ministry of Information and Communications is collecting donations through SMS. Between October 1 and 30, people can send messages of encouragement and consolation to numbers 1401 to 1409. Their service providers will bill them from VND2,000 to VND18,000 and submit the money to the ministry.

- The Ministry of Trade and Industry organized a donation to support fellow Vietnamese affected by the typhoon

- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam and some foreign-invested enterprises raised nearly VND300 million.

- The chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Mr. Huỳnh Đảm, visited a number of areas to support the affected people and launched an appeal for assistance. His appeal has raised nearly VND5 billion ($278,000), including VND3.5 billion from PetroVietnam. Financial support will be provided for Kon Tum (700million VND) and Gia Lia province (300 million VND).

- The Voice of Vietnam's trade union mobilized its staff to donate one-day's salary.

- The Royol Food Factory in My Tho industrial zone, Tien Giang province, transferred 3,000 barrels of fish produced by the factory at a cost of VND1 billion to Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Thua Thien-Hue provinces and Da Nang city

- Ho Chi Minh City has raised nearly VND4 billion for the victims. The campaign will last through this entire month.

- Son La province drew on a reserve fund for disaster prevention worth VND570 million to support 15 provinces in the Central Highland region, including VND50 million for each of the four hardest-hit provinces, Quang Nam, Da Nang, Thua Thien-Hue and Kon Tum.

- The Vietnam Red Cross, VNRC, provided another VND2.2 billion relief and continues to provide relief goods to the affected provinces. The organization has supplied a large number of water filters, with a capacity of 50,000 liters of clean water per hour, to areas like Thua Thien Hue.

International response:

- Currently, teams involving PACCOM representatives and staff from UN agencies and NGOs (Save the Children, Oxfam, Plan, World Vision, Change to Change, CECI, Development Workshop France, CARE, Habitat for Humanity, and others) are deployed in the provinces Quang Tri, Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Gai and Kon Tum, to carry out damage and needs assessment. The teams are expected to be back on Monday.

- The German Foreign Office in Berlin has earmarked up to 300.000 euros for emergency relief in Vietnam

- the Singapore Government will contribute US$50,000 as seed money to kick start the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) joint appeal drive for donations for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

- The United States Government will provide US$100,000 worth of disaster relief assistance through support for the emergency activities of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

- The Australian Government will provide $1 million assistance to the Vietnam Red Cross and Australian Non-Government Organizations active in Vietnam in response to the tragic loss of life and destruction caused by Typhoon Ketsana. The assistance package is made up of $400,000 for the Vietnam Red Cross to provide water treatment items, mosquito nets, cooking utensils and blankets, and $600,000 for Australian NGOs who are already in Vietnam.

- The Government of Luxemburg has provided 125,000 euros emergency aid through CARE Luxemburg and the Vietnamese Red Cross (VNRC)

- WASH cluster met on Friday October 2 to discuss further actions. They will meet again early next week once rapid assessment teams have returned from the field.

- UNOSAT has posted a first satellite derived map of flood affected areas in Quang Tri Province. It is used by national authorities and international relief entities to organize and coordinate relief efforts. The maps can be consulted on the following address: http://unosat.web.cern.ch/unosat/asp/prod_free.asp?id=96

- ADRA is will distribute food packages and mosquito nets to 500 families in affected communities in the Quang Nam Province. The intervention will last up to one week. It is valued at US$15,000, and financed by ADRA International, the ADRA Asia Regional Office, and the Southeast Asia Union Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

 

 

 

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