Disasters and Humanitarian Assistance

Press Releases: Disaster & Humanitarian Assistance

After Four Major Storms, Caribbean Takes Stock of Impact. Cuba suffered three hurricanes in nine days, and mobilized the evacuation of more than 20% of its population. Grand Turk Island in the Turks and Caicos is completely devastated with more than 90% of its buildings damaged or completely destroyed. In Haiti, nine of its ten Departments were flooded. In all affected countries, the cumulative death toll from the 2008 storms stands at 350; more than 2 million people have been affected.

Agencies Take Part in Simulation of Nuclear Accident. The World Health Organization and Pan American Health Organization took part in a test of radiation emergency plans through a simulated accident at the Laguna Verde Nuclear power plant, Mexico, 9-10 July 2008. The exercise is coordinated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and carried out in cooperation with 74 IAEA Member States and nine international organizations in order to test national and international preparedness to respond to a nuclear or radiological emergency.

Fifth WHO Public Health Pre-Deployment Course. Applications are being received for the 5th WHO Public Health Pre-Deployment Course to be held in Ontario, Canada from 16-29 November 2008. The course prepares public health professionals with profiles that suit health emergency competencies defined by WHO and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Global Health Cluster, and who can commit themselves to be deployed within 24-48 hours to an emergency for a duration of up to three months. The deadline for applications is 31 August 2008.

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