UN humanitarian chiefs strongly condemn attacks on medical personnel and facilities by all parties to the Syria conflict

6 December 2013 | New York/Geneva - We strongly condemn attacks on health and any other civilian facilities in Syria and are deeply concerned by the serious implications for patients, health personnel and provision of critical medical supplies.

This brutal conflict continues to result in substantial damage to health facilities across the country. Over 60% of public hospitals have been damaged or are out of service, while a similar proportion of ambulances have been stolen or badly damaged. At a time when hospitals are overwhelmed with patients, it is vital that these facilities be protected and medical staff be allowed to provide urgent medical, surgical and obstetric care to patients without any risk.

Health facilities must be respected and protected in all circumstances - they should not be used for military purposes. Attacks against health facilities can be considered a war crime under international law.

All parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians, health facilities and health professionals during conflict and to permit the supply of vital humanitarian aid, such as medicines, vaccines and medical equipment to reach the most needy communities. It is of the interest of both parties in the conflict and of all Syrian people to preserve the neutrality and the functionality of health infrastructure.

Despite the insecurity and serious access challenges the United Nations and partners have helped vaccinate more than 3.3 million children against measles and polio in recent weeks. Over 8000 women have received reproductive and maternal health services, while medical supplies and training have been provided to ensure that hundreds of thousands of people with chronic health problems are treated.

We and our humanitarian partners continue to call for a halt to the violence and for all those with influence over the parties to urge immediate compliance with international law. And we ask that all our partners increase our common efforts to draw attention to these inhumane acts and to protect innocent women, men and children.

For further information, please contact:

WHO Geneva
Gregory Hartl
Telephone: +41 22 791 4458
E-mail: hartlg@who.int

OCHA New York
Amanda Pitt
Telephone: +1 917 442 1810,
E-mail: pitta@un.org

OCHA New York
Clare Doyle
Telephone: +1 646 288 6331
E-mail: doylecm@un.org

UNICEF New York
Rita Ann Wallace
Telephone: +1 212 326 7586
Mobile: +1 917 213 4034
E-mail: rwallace@unicef.org

UNICEF New York
Kent Page
Telephone: +1 212 326 7605
Mobile: +1 917 302 1735
E-mail: kpage@unicef.org

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Humanitarian emergencies, an opportunity for fresh start in providing sustainable, long-term mental health services

16 August 2013 | Geneva - Humanitarian agencies work hard to help people with their mental health and psychosocial needs in the aftermath of emergencies, but too often opportunities are missed to strengthen mental health systems for the long-term, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report, "Building back better: Sustainable mental health care after emergencies" released for World Humanitarian Day (August 19).

“In spite of their tragic nature, emergency situations are opportunities to improve the lives of large numbers of people through improving mental health services,” says Dr Bruce Aylward, WHO’s Assistant Director-General overseeing the Organization’s work in humanitarian emergencies. "We can do better for emergency-affected populations by working with the government on sustainable mental health care from the outset.”

The report provides guidance for strengthening mental health systems after emergencies and examples from Afghanistan, Burundi, Indonesia (Aceh Province), Iraq, Jordan, Kosovo, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, and West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Contributors from each area report not only their major achievements, but also their most difficult challenges and how they were overcome. Key overlapping practices emerging from these experiences are summarized.

Findings from the report include:

• Indonesia (Aceh): Like many provinces in Indonesia, Aceh had only institution-based care before the tsunami of 2004. Today, most districts have primary mental health services supported by secondary care at district general hospitals.
• Iraq: Since 2004, significant progress has been made toward the creation of a comprehensive mental health system. More than 50% of general practitioners have received mental health training.
• Kosovo: Starting from a hospital-based model of care in 1999 after the conflict, a system of community-based mental health care is now available.
• Sri Lanka: Since the 2004 tsunami, a new national mental health policy has guided reform, which now extends to most parts of the country. Several new cadres of community-based mental health workers have been developed.
• Timor-Leste: Building from a complete absence of mental health services in 1999, the country today has a comprehensive community-based mental health system.

The possibilities presented by emergency situations are significant because major gaps remain worldwide in the realization of comprehensive, community-based mental health care.

“The current situation is alarming,” says Dr Shekhar Saxena, WHO Director for Mental Health. “Health systems have not yet adequately responded to the burden of mental disorders. We know that the vast majority of people with severe mental disorders receive no treatment whatsoever in low-income and middle-income countries.”

Transforming the mental health care systems in turn would improve the well-being, functioning, and resilience of individuals, societies, and countries recovering from emergencies, the report notes.

By releasing this report, WHO aims to help guide policymakers to reform their mental health systems, especially those which may be susceptible to future emergencies. Already in 2013, the world has witnessed numerous emergency situations, from the crisis in Syria and neighbouring countries to heavy fighting in Mali and the Central African Republic, major flooding in parts of the Americas, Africa, and Asia, and others.

For more information please contact:

Tarik Jasarevic
WHO Communications Officer
Telephone: +41 22 791 5099
Mobile: +41 793 676 214
E-mail: jasarevict@who.int

View the original article here

Humanitarian emergencies, an opportunity for fresh start in providing sustainable, long-term mental health services

16 August 2013 | Geneva - Humanitarian agencies work hard to help people with their mental health and psychosocial needs in the aftermath of emergencies, but too often opportunities are missed to strengthen mental health systems for the long-term, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report, "Building back better: Sustainable mental health care after emergencies" released for World Humanitarian Day (August 19).

“In spite of their tragic nature, emergency situations are opportunities to improve the lives of large numbers of people through improving mental health services,” says Dr Bruce Aylward, WHO’s Assistant Director-General overseeing the Organization’s work in humanitarian emergencies. "We can do better for emergency-affected populations by working with the government on sustainable mental health care from the outset.”

The report provides guidance for strengthening mental health systems after emergencies and examples from Afghanistan, Burundi, Indonesia (Aceh Province), Iraq, Jordan, Kosovo, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, and West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Contributors from each area report not only their major achievements, but also their most difficult challenges and how they were overcome. Key overlapping practices emerging from these experiences are summarized.

Indonesia (Aceh): Like many provinces in Indonesia, Aceh had only institution-based care before the tsunami of 2004. Today, most districts have primary mental health services supported by secondary care at district general hospitals.Iraq: Since 2004, significant progress has been made toward the creation of a comprehensive mental health system. More than 50% of general practitioners have received mental health training.Kosovo: Starting from a hospital-based model of care in 1999 after the conflict, a system of community-based mental health care is now available. Sri Lanka: Since the 2004 tsunami, a new national mental health policy has guided reform, which now extends to most parts of the country. Several new cadres of community-based mental health workers have been developed. Timor-Leste: Building from a complete absence of mental health services in 1999, the country today has a comprehensive community-based mental health system.

The possibilities presented by emergency situations are significant because major gaps remain worldwide in the realization of comprehensive, community-based mental health care.

“The current situation is alarming,” says Dr Shekhar Saxena, WHO Director for Mental Health. “Health systems have not yet adequately responded to the burden of mental disorders. We know that the vast majority of people with severe mental disorders receive no treatment whatsoever in low-income and middle-income countries.”

Transforming the mental health care systems in turn would improve the well-being, functioning, and resilience of individuals, societies, and countries recovering from emergencies, the report notes.

By releasing this report, WHO aims to help guide policymakers to reform their mental health systems, especially those which may be susceptible to future emergencies. Already in 2013, the world has witnessed numerous emergency situations, from the crisis in Syria and neighbouring countries to heavy fighting in Mali and the Central African Republic, major flooding in parts of the Americas, Africa, and Asia, and others.

Tarik Jasarevic
WHO Communications Officer
Telephone: +41 22 791 5099
Mobile: +41 793 676 214
E-mail: jasarevict@who.int

View the original article here