IMPROVING IDP SERVICES IN PAKISTAN: WHO RESPONSE

UNCLAS GENEVA 000061 STATE FOR PRM/ECA/NHASTINGS/AWENDT STATE PASS TO USAID/OFDA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF PHUM EAID WFP PK SUBJECT: IMPROVING IDP SERVICES IN PAKISTAN: WHO RESPONSE REF: A. GENEVA 48 ¶B. STATE 4353 ¶C. ISLAMABAD 78 ¶1. The Office of Refugee and Migration Affairs (RMA) received the following answers from WHO in response to questions outlined in reftel B. WHO coordinated its response with its office in Islamabad. ¶2. Vaccinations: WHO experienced difficulties in the first phase of displacement in conducting its information campaigns, particularly in new IDP camps. It also experienced difficulties in communicating WHO alerts on new outbreaks. ¶3. Situation in NWFP/Funding: UNICEF and WHO support authorities at the district and provincial levels and have established well-defined roles and responsibilities. Currently, long-term IDPs (more than 5 months) in the camps are being joined by newly arrived IDP populations, new camps are being established, and increasing numbers are living in host families or other accommodations. WFP has requested funds to support the operational costs tied to carrying out vaccinations in the camps, but the assessment of health facilities treating IDPs in host communities show that there is also significant need to strengthen these services and extend NGO support beyond the camps. ¶4. WHO/UNHCR Coop on Vaccines: WHO is in close contact with UNHCR at the provincial level, as well as with other UN agencies and NGOs. WHO is in charge of the Health Cluster and responsible for health issues in the IDP camps. WHO helped established a new Standard Operating Procedure that will enable vaccinations to be administered to IDPs at the time of their registration in the camps. ¶5. Humanitarian Response Plan: WHO indicated that its needs under the 2009 Humanitarian Response Plan, which is expected to be released shortly, will total $5.5 million. WHO provided us with electronic copies of the various plans which we understand have been shared with OFDA in Islamabad. We have forwarded copies to PRM. ¶6. Operational Constraints: Overall insecurity and UNDSS restrictions prohibit travel in many areas of the NWFP. WHO does have a staff member in Dir to work on district-level cluster coordination and to support the implementation of activities. WHO is attempting to establish a similar arrangement in Swat and Malakand. Short-term funding requires WHO to renew agreements for its emergency staff every 2-3 months. WHO requires a different approach with IDPs in host communities where health services are generally weaker. WHO must provide support to health facilities and referral services at various administrative levels. WHO also reports difficulties in regular monitoring of its service delivery and surveillance activities and programs outside the camps. STORELLA