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Earthquake in El Salvador
Consolidated Request for Humanitarian Assistance through PAHO/WHO

Revised 17 January 2001
Amount: US$1,750,000

On January 14, the day after the earthquake, PAHO/WHO issued an appeal for US$770,000, based on a very preliminary assessment of health sector damages and needs, conducted just hours after the earthquake.

Four days later, a more accurate picture is emerging in the health sector. Most notably are the importance of maintaining and strengthening immunization and the restoration of the cold chain, and an assessment of necessary emergency rehabilitation measures in health facilities.

The following consolidated and revised appeal reflects these emergency needs for PAHO technical support now estimated at US$1,750,000. Additional needs, such as for the rehabilitation of health facilities, will be the object of specific projects as they are identified.

Medical attention and hospitals: update

  • Preliminary assessment of conditions in hospitals carried out by Ministry of Health and PAHO/WHO
  • Total number of lost beds 1,350
  • Three disaster mitigation engineers sent who, in collaboration with national counterparts, will help to determine the extent of the needs for immediate assistance

Communicable diseases

  • The presence of dead bodies does not represent a significant public health risk.
  • Much more serious and worrisome is the pre-existing situation in El Salvador with regard to gastroenteritis and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).
  • It is imperative to strengthen the syndrome/symptom-based surveillance system and improve the readiness of the laboratory network
  • It is critical to implement a health education campaign.
  • Eradication of measles: it is imperative that an immunization campaign, scheduled for 22 January, be pursued, in spite of the current drain on health resources caused by the emergency response

The complete version is available at WHO - Geneva.
Please contact: Ms Isis Pluut, Tel: 41-22 791 12704 - Fax: 41-22 791 4844 - E-mail- pluute@who.ch or Dr. Yonas Tegegn, Tel: 41-22 791 2722 - E:mail - tegegny@who.ch

Aditional needs

Type of Assistance
Activities through Sept. 2001

Amount in US$ **

Water and Sanitation

  • Assessment of damages and mobilization of experts
  • supplies for emergency repairs of water distribution system
  • water treatment and temporary distribution
  • sanitation and solid waste disposal
  • food protection
  • vector control
  • zoonosis control

 

 

 

 

 

 

$250,000

Epidemiological Surveillance and Control of Diarrheal Diseases

  • surveillance
  • essential laboratory supplies, including glassware and reagents

 

$100,000

Strengthening of Immunization and Restoration of Cold Chain

  • Provide vaccines and logistical support
  • Restore/improve the cold chain where needed

 

$140,000

Support for Management of Humanitarian Supplies

  • logistic expertise, equipment and supplies
  • SUMA support to National Emergency Committee to strengthen transparency in the donation process

 

$165,000

Hospital Safety Assessment and Rehabilitation

  • analysis of structural/non-structural safety of damaged health facilities (ongoing)
  • emergency rehabilitation of key facilities
  • replacement of critical equipment and supplies
  • institutionalization of the process in COEN and Ministry of Health

 

 

 

 

$255,000

Additional needs

$910,000

Preliminary appeal

$770,000

Total

$1,750,000

** The proposed amount for each activity is indicative. The consolidated assessment of needs and formulation of priorities, expected to last for several weeks, as well as the implementation capacity of the health services, may affect the actual disbursement distribution.

Pledged through 16 January:

Italy US$ 500,000 through WHO
Norway US$ 75,000 through WHO
United Kingdom US$ 441,176 through PAHO