Speaking from Zaporizhzhya on the front line in eastern Ukraine, Tom Fletcher reported that air strikes continue to “kill and cause huge civilian damage”.
The 2010 earthquake caused destruction across Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince. (file)
Three million impacted
An estimated three million people were impacted by the earthquake, which led to severe humanitarian, protection, health, displacement, and infrastructural challenges for Haiti, some of which are still present today, the UN Spokesperson said.
The UN held a ceremony in Port-au-Prince on Sunday to honour the victims of the earthquake and the staffers who were killed.
In a statement, the head of the UN political office in Haiti, Maria Isabel Salvador, expressed her solidarity with all those whose lives continue to be impacted by the tragedy.
“She also saluted the determination and resilience of the Haitian people, who responded with courage in the aftermath of the earthquake,”, said Mr. Dujarric, and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to continue working alongside the Haitian authorities and people.
$82 million committed to Sudan’s crippled health system
The World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have signed an $82 million agreement known as the Sudan Health Assistance and Response in Emergencies (SHARE), to improve access to critical services for more than eight million people across Sudan.
As of now, more than 70 per cent of hospitals and health facilities in conflict-affected areas are non-operational. According to WHO, most of them lack necessary supplies or have been damaged or destroyed during the conflict.
“In Sudan, the systems providing vulnerable children and families with essential social services are on the brink of collapse,” said UNICEF Representative for Sudan Sheldon Yett.
Frontline workers, including nurses, doctors and other essential staff, have not been paid in months.
Health services decimated
The delivery of vaccine supplies and routine immunisation activities have also been hindered by security concerns and lack of access.
However, with limited access to safe water and adequate sanitation, especially in overcrowded displacement camps, recent disease outbreaks risk exacerbation.
An estimated 3.4 million children under the age of five are currently at high risk of disease including measles, malaria, pneumonia, diarrhoeal diseases and cholera.
With SHARE, UN agencies are now planning to provide essential medicines, train health workers, treat severe malnutrition and strengthen vaccination campaigns, while partners work towards enhancing disease surveillance systems.
“By investing in preparedness and resilience, we are paving the way for a stronger, more sustainable health system,” said WHO Representative in Sudan Dr. Shible Sahbani, emphasising the significance of the project.