Emergency and Humanitarian Action

Hazard profiles and disaster preparedness in SEAR Countries

Bangladesh

Timor-Leste

Earthquake in Padang, West Sumatra Province, Republic of Indonesia

Current Campaigns

What is a hospital safe from disasters? Health facilities are lifelines in the aftermath of any natural disaster when large numbers of people need urgent medical treatment. The World Health Organization is urging Member States in the South-East Asia Region to ensure all hospitals and health facilities are disaster-resilient.

Click a Brick for safe Hospitals

Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia, has launched an email and web-based campaign to gather public support on the issue of keeping health facilities safe in emergencies. The campaign target is to reach 1 million people by April 2010.

West Sumatra Earthquake: WHO focuses on mental health and psychosocial support

Three months after West Sumatra earthquake that occurred on 30 September 2009, mental health remains a concern for the affected people. WHO is training health officers to provide mental health and psychosocial support services. WHO is also supporting BNPB, the Indonesian National Body for Disaster Management, in reconstruction and rehabilitation plans.

Situation Reports

Situation in North of Sri Lanka Situation in Sri Lanka

As more than 130 000 displaced people are released from the Menik Farm IDP (internally displaced persons) camp and resettled in northern Sri Lanka, WHO continues to support the strengthening of disease surveillance systems in the resettlement areas as well as in the IDP camps. Approximately 111 500 people remain in camps.

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Timor-leste supports WHO’s unique Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF)

Timor-Leste will support WHO’s South-East Asia Regional health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) with a contribution of US$ 10 000, the country’s Health Minister Dr. Nelson Martins announced during the 27th Meeting of Health Ministers, held in Kathmandu, Nepal. SEARHEF is unique in having a fast and flexible mechanism for disbursements of funds within 24 hours of an official request, following an emergency in the Region.

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