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