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The UN health agency has strengthened its emergency coordination, deploying technical teams and expanding operational support to keep essential health services running in the conflict-affected north.
In collaboration with regional authorities, WHO supports preparedness, response coordination, disease surveillance, and life-saving interventions through collaboration with partners, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.
71 tons of supplies
WHO has sent more than 71 metric tons of critical supplies to Tigray, Amhara and Afar.
The assistance includes emergency health equipment, cholera response materials, reproductive health equipment and medicines for non-communicable diseases.
The agency also supports outbreak investigations, vaccine distribution, and emergency referrals, as well as strengthening public health monitoring in areas affected by insecurity and displacement.
Mobile teams and facilities continue to provide essential services, including primary care, disease prevention, and maternal and reproductive health services.
Guterres deplored the recent deadly attack in Abyei
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged authorities in Sudan and South Sudan to act to prevent further attacks in the disputed Abyei border region.
The Secretary-General strongly condemned the deadly drone strike near a busy market on Monday that killed dozens of civilians, injured many others and set buildings on fire.
“I express my deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims who lost their lives and pray for healing for the injured,” he said. a statement published on Wednesday evening.
He noted that following the attack, UN peacekeepers in Abyei (UNISFA) deploy medical personnel, firefighting equipment, and rapid reaction forces to provide emergency care, support casualty evacuation, and prevent the spread of fire.
Respect and protect civilians
The attacks on Amiet Market and the Todach region are one of the latest developments in the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and former allies the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted in April 2023.
The Secretary-General emphasized that attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international law.
“I remind that all parties to the armed conflict must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, including respecting and protecting civilians at all times,” he said, underscoring the need for accountability and calling on the Governments of South Sudan and Sudan “to take all possible steps to help prevent further attacks and uphold the demilitarized status of Abyei”.
The new tool tracks the impact of heat on pregnancies, newborns and children
Extreme heat can be life-threatening even before birth. It also increases health risks during pregnancy and for newborns and young children.
To help countries track these dangers, a group of UN agencies has launched the first set of priority indicators focused on these vulnerable groups.
“Our health system needs data to recognize this reality and take action,” said Bruce Gordon, interim director of environment, climate change, One Health and migration at the World Health Organization (WHO).
This means everything from protecting people during heatwaves to incorporating climate risks into everyday health services, he added.
WHO, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), UNICEF and the UN reproductive health agency, UNFPAlaunch new framework designed to strengthen preparedness, improve monitoring and speed response.
Better heat health planning
The new report recommends that countries monitor premature births, stillbirths, low birth weight, hypertension during pregnancy, child deaths, and visits to health facilities during extreme heat.
Monitoring school attendance can also help reveal how heat disrupts children’s lives.
An estimated 1.5 billion children worldwide are exposed to heat waves that are becoming more frequent, longer, or more severe.
The new information can help governments in the health sector prepare facilities to meet increasing demand, strengthen warnings for pregnant women and families, identify communities most at risk and improve planning, the agencies said.
