A woman in Niger displays her vaccination certificate. ©WHO/Factstory
New stories from WHO staff report on timely deliveries to Ukraine’s war-torn city of Kherson; to Mogadishu, Somalia, after a devastating car-bomb attack; and to Benghazi, Libya, to fill urgent health-care needs.
We also feature stories on new contributions of equipment and supplies to build health systems in Burundi, Niger, Paraguay, and more.
WHO delivers medical supplies to war-torn Kherson
Supply trucks arrive in Kherson in mid-November. ©WHO
WHO unloaded lifesaving medical supplies in Kherson in November, days after the Government of Ukraine regained control of the embattled city. Shipments so far have brought generators for medical facilities, surgical kits, and medicines for thousands of people.
“These supplies will save lives and go towards ensuring that the resilient health system can continue delivering care in these challenging circumstances and support hundreds of thousands of people,” said Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine.
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Emergency supplies help blast victims in Somalia
Emergency medical supplies arrive in Mogadishu. ©WHO
WHO and contributors have been working together to maintain a stream of medical supplies to Mogadishu to treat survivors of recent car bomb attacks that killed more than 100 people and injured more than 300.
The supplies are for treating traumatic injuries, including burns.
“These emergency medical supplies are critically needed to ensure that essential medicines and infusions are available in Mogadishu to care for victims of the blast and prevent further loss of life,” said WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari.
Shipments arrive in Burundi to strengthen health services across the board
The November shipment included laboratory supplies, gynecology and obstetrics equipment, hospital beds, medicines, electronic tablets and an array of other essential health care materials. ©WHO
The new materials will help Burundi better equip its communal hospitals, Ebola treatment centres, and COVID-19 operations.
“Through this support, we are taking another step towards the goal of strengthening the health system to make it resilient to shocks, but above all, we want to contribute to the improvement of care structures at the service of populations,” WHO Representative Dr Xavier Crespin said.
Many partners contributed funds for the shipment, among them, the European Union, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, and Sweden.
Supplies to meet urgent medical needs arrive in Libya
Emergency health kits arrive in late October in Benghazi, bound for health facilities across Libya. ©WHO
Seventy tonnes of medical supplies donated by the United States Agency for International Development arrived in Libya in October, including emergency kits, and supplies to treat cancer and burns.
“Today’s airlifted supplies will meet urgent health needs, especially in some of the most remote and vulnerable areas across the country,” said Dr Richard Brennan, Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme in the Eastern Mediterranean region, greeting the shipment in Benghazi.
WHO has delivered medicines, medical supplies and equipment to 140 public health facilities across Libya to help the country strengthen its health system.
See also: With Germany’s support, WHO delivers mobile clinics to Benghazi
Paraguay builds its vaccination capacity with help from United States
A new mobile unit will help Paraguay bring COVID-19 vaccines to people who live far from health care facilities. ©PAHO
Paraguay received a large shipment of equipment from the United States of America in November that will boost the country’s ability to provide COVID-19 vaccinations, even in remote areas with difficult terrain.
The donation of vehicles, refrigeration equipment, computers, and other supplies seeks to improve access to vaccination, mainly for Paraguay’s most economically and socially vulnerable people.
Also see: Liberia promotes rational use of antibiotics to fight drug-resistant microbes
In Yemen, WHO and CERF support care for severely malnourished children
©WHO/Sadeq Hasa
This photo story from WHO’s Yemen office visits the therapeutic feeding centre at Kara General Hospital in Marib to show how the Organization and its partners are rescuing children from starvation.
Also see: Ethiopian emergency medical teams support communities in drought crisis
Awareness-raising work in Niger helps raise vaccination rate
A town crier in Niger. ©WHO/Factstory
With support from the European Union and other partners, more than 6800 town criers and 3300 community outreach workers are promoting COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country.
“Leaders are helping to spread acceptance that vaccines are a tool to build herd immunity and stop the pandemic,” said Dr Jamila Arzika Lele, head of an integrated health centre in the city of Maradi.
WHO thanks all governments, organizations and individuals who are contributing to the Organization’s work, with special appreciation for those who have provided fully flexible contributions to maintain a strong, independent WHO.
Donors and partners featured in this week’s stories include:
Canada, DG NEAR, Direct Relief, Dubai International Humanitarian City, Eni, European Union, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, Germany, GIZ, Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Korea International Cooperation Agency, National Oil Corporation (Libya), Repsol, Sweden, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, TotalEnergies, Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, United Arab Emirates, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), UNOPS, United States of America (USAID).
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