UNICEF is seeking $34.5 million to address urgent recovery needs for children and their families in Gaza. The request forms part of the UN appeal for $613 million to cover needs for over a nine-month period, launched today in Geneva.
UNICEF is working with partners in Gaza to address the extensive humanitarian and recovery needs of children and women through the delivery of urgent supplies, financial assistance, and technical expertise.
Additional funding is required to enable UNICEF to carry out 20 projects with partners in the sectors of protection, health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, and education.
The bulk of UNICEF's funding requirements will cover child protection programmes amounting to $12 million, followed by education projects totaling $9.5 million.
With nowhere to hide from the violence, children were severely affected psychologically by the conflict. The distress that children experienced and the acute disruption of support mechanisms caused by the conflict makes the protection of children a priority in Gaza. The protection programmes include mine risk education and awareness, psychosocial support, and is creating safe spaces, learning and recreational opportunities in order to establish a sense of normalcy for children in Gaza.
UNICEF is also taking a lead role in coordinating humanitarian and recovery assistance in the sectors of child protection, education with Save the Children, psychosocial support and mental health with WHO, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene.
Prior to the recent conflict in Gaza, the education and health systems were already in crisis, the water and sanitation networks were under extreme duress, and household coping mechanisms were already stretched to breaking point due to the 18-month blockade.
UNICEF's request for $34.5 million is based on recent needs assessments and builds on its earlier request for $20 million. UNICEF projects in this Gaza Flash Appeal are part of the inter-agency oPt (occupied Palestinian territory) Consolidated Appeals Process for 2009 which also covers the West Bank.
Children make up over half of the 1.4 million people in Gaza. Some 430 children were killed, and 1,855 children were injured during the 23-day conflict. At the peak of displacement, around 28,560 children were in UNRWA shelters.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
UNICEF
понедельник, 25 апреля 2011 г.
Number Of Armed Groups Or Forces Using Child Soldiers Increases From 40 To 57
Coinciding with the sixth anniversary of the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, the Security Council held an open debate on the situation of children caught in conflict.
According to the new Secretary General's annual report on Children and Armed Conflict, the number of armed groups and forces identified as using children has climbed from 40 in 2006 to 57 in 2007.
This increase hides a complex reality. On the one hand it indicates better monitoring and reporting of violations and an improved ability to identify parties responsible for recruiting children. It also places parties who use children in conflicts under tighter international and domestic scrutiny.
On the other hand it also reflects a deterioration of the situations in Chad and Sudan, as well as renewed fighting in Afghanistan and Central African Republic, where children are now being recruited.
The rise in the number of groups identified as using child soldiers has reinforced the importance of the Optional Protocol and having international legal instruments and improved monitoring and reporting mechanisms in place to combat this scourge.
But the news is not all bad. Over the past six years, there have been a number of positive developments in addressing this situation. There are now 119 States parties to the Optional Protocol. Furthermore, since February 2007, 66 Governments have subscribed to the Paris Commitments to protect children from unlawful recruitment or use by armed forces or armed groups.
In addition, at least three peace agreements with armed forces and groups in Chad, the Central African Republic, and Sudan have reiterated the commitments made in Paris, and in one situation, the Ivory Coast, the recruitment of children has ceased.
Her Royal Highness, The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, issued a statement today noting that, while these developments are encouraging, the reality on the ground for hundreds of thousands of children indicates that collectively we must continue to combat this unacceptable practice.
UNICEF welcomes today's adoption by the Security Council of the Presidential Statement on children and armed conflict and views it as a further opportunity to reinforce government commitments to protecting children affected by armed conflict.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
unicef
According to the new Secretary General's annual report on Children and Armed Conflict, the number of armed groups and forces identified as using children has climbed from 40 in 2006 to 57 in 2007.
This increase hides a complex reality. On the one hand it indicates better monitoring and reporting of violations and an improved ability to identify parties responsible for recruiting children. It also places parties who use children in conflicts under tighter international and domestic scrutiny.
On the other hand it also reflects a deterioration of the situations in Chad and Sudan, as well as renewed fighting in Afghanistan and Central African Republic, where children are now being recruited.
The rise in the number of groups identified as using child soldiers has reinforced the importance of the Optional Protocol and having international legal instruments and improved monitoring and reporting mechanisms in place to combat this scourge.
But the news is not all bad. Over the past six years, there have been a number of positive developments in addressing this situation. There are now 119 States parties to the Optional Protocol. Furthermore, since February 2007, 66 Governments have subscribed to the Paris Commitments to protect children from unlawful recruitment or use by armed forces or armed groups.
In addition, at least three peace agreements with armed forces and groups in Chad, the Central African Republic, and Sudan have reiterated the commitments made in Paris, and in one situation, the Ivory Coast, the recruitment of children has ceased.
Her Royal Highness, The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, issued a statement today noting that, while these developments are encouraging, the reality on the ground for hundreds of thousands of children indicates that collectively we must continue to combat this unacceptable practice.
UNICEF welcomes today's adoption by the Security Council of the Presidential Statement on children and armed conflict and views it as a further opportunity to reinforce government commitments to protecting children affected by armed conflict.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
unicef
WFP Food Aid Ship Hijacked Off Somalia North East Coast
The World Food Programme announced today that the MV Rozen, a
WFP-contracted vessel, was hijacked off the coast of north-eastern
Somalia, somewhere near Bargal, north of Hafun in the state of Puntland
at around 0935 yesterday, Sunday, 25 February 2007.
On board the vessel are 12 crew members, six Sri Lankans, including the
captain, and six Kenyans. The ship had just delivered 1,800 metric
tonnes of WFP food aid and FAO equipment in Berbera and in Bossaso and
was sailing empty back to Mombasa. The ship is now reported to be
anchored off Bargal, in Somali waters.
Early last year, MV Rozen escaped an attempted hijack in southern Somali
waters. Her sister vessel, the MV Semlow, was hijacked with WFP relief
food on board for more than 100 days in Somali waters in June 2005. The
crew was released unharmed. Another vessel with WFP food aid, the MV
Miltzow, was also hijacked for 33 hours in October 2005 while it was in
the process of unloading food in the port of Merka.
"WFP is highly concerned about the safety of crew members and the
vessel. Such acts of piracy might undermine the delivery of relief food
to vulnerable people in Somalia and could further worsen the prevailing
precarious humanitarian situation", said Peter Goossens, WFP Country
Director for Somalia.
WFP is currently in close contact with Somalia's Transitional Federal
Government (TFG), the Puntland authorities, and with the vessel's
agents, to obtain the most accurate information and to ensure the
earliest release of the vessel and crew.
In 2005, after the hijacks, WFP temporarily had to suspend deliveries of
food aid by sea for some weeks, but since then sea deliveries have been
uninterrupted, even during the worst days of the conflict between the
TFG and the Union of Islamic Courts (ICU) at the end of last year.
In 2006, WFP delivered some 78,000 metric tonnes of relief food to 1.4
million people affected by drought and floods in southern Somalia.
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency: each year, we give food
to an average of 90 million poor people to meet their nutritional needs,
including 58 million hungry children, in at least 80 of the world's
poorest countries.
WFP Global School Feeding Campaign - For just 19 US cents a day, you can
help WFP give children in poor countries a healthy meal at school - a
gift of hope for a brighter future.
For further information please go to:
World Food Program WFP - We Feed People
WFP-contracted vessel, was hijacked off the coast of north-eastern
Somalia, somewhere near Bargal, north of Hafun in the state of Puntland
at around 0935 yesterday, Sunday, 25 February 2007.
On board the vessel are 12 crew members, six Sri Lankans, including the
captain, and six Kenyans. The ship had just delivered 1,800 metric
tonnes of WFP food aid and FAO equipment in Berbera and in Bossaso and
was sailing empty back to Mombasa. The ship is now reported to be
anchored off Bargal, in Somali waters.
Early last year, MV Rozen escaped an attempted hijack in southern Somali
waters. Her sister vessel, the MV Semlow, was hijacked with WFP relief
food on board for more than 100 days in Somali waters in June 2005. The
crew was released unharmed. Another vessel with WFP food aid, the MV
Miltzow, was also hijacked for 33 hours in October 2005 while it was in
the process of unloading food in the port of Merka.
"WFP is highly concerned about the safety of crew members and the
vessel. Such acts of piracy might undermine the delivery of relief food
to vulnerable people in Somalia and could further worsen the prevailing
precarious humanitarian situation", said Peter Goossens, WFP Country
Director for Somalia.
WFP is currently in close contact with Somalia's Transitional Federal
Government (TFG), the Puntland authorities, and with the vessel's
agents, to obtain the most accurate information and to ensure the
earliest release of the vessel and crew.
In 2005, after the hijacks, WFP temporarily had to suspend deliveries of
food aid by sea for some weeks, but since then sea deliveries have been
uninterrupted, even during the worst days of the conflict between the
TFG and the Union of Islamic Courts (ICU) at the end of last year.
In 2006, WFP delivered some 78,000 metric tonnes of relief food to 1.4
million people affected by drought and floods in southern Somalia.
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency: each year, we give food
to an average of 90 million poor people to meet their nutritional needs,
including 58 million hungry children, in at least 80 of the world's
poorest countries.
WFP Global School Feeding Campaign - For just 19 US cents a day, you can
help WFP give children in poor countries a healthy meal at school - a
gift of hope for a brighter future.
For further information please go to:
World Food Program WFP - We Feed People
In Wake Of Hurricane Ike, APS Sets Aside $50,000 To Help Students, Post-Docs,
The American Physiological Society has established the Hurricane Ike Relief Fund to provide unrestricted grants of up to $2,000 to support physiology graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who suffered losses as a result of Hurricane Ike. The powerful storm hit the Texas coast on Sept. 13 and also affected other areas of the country.
The grants are targeted to students and fellows who are either APS members or working in the laboratories of APS members. The grants will help the recipients replace belongings, pay for relocation costs or other expenses they incurred as a result of the storm.
The APS Council set aside $50,000 for the grants but will consider increasing its contribution to the relief fund if it is needed. The Society will work with the chairs of the affected departments to assess need. The application deadline is October 24, 2008.
"We want to help our graduate students and post-docs get back on their feet and back to work as soon as possible so that they can continue their valuable contributions to the field of physiology," said APS President Irving Zucker.
The Society is also accepting donations from those who want to help in the effort. Applications and donations can be made by going to the APS web site at the-aps/ike.htm.
The APS provided similar grants in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, distributing more than $80,000 to students in need.
Physiology is the study of how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function to create health or disease. The American Physiological Society (The-APS/press) has been an integral part of this discovery process since it was established in 1887.
Source: Christine Guilfoy
American Physiological Society
The grants are targeted to students and fellows who are either APS members or working in the laboratories of APS members. The grants will help the recipients replace belongings, pay for relocation costs or other expenses they incurred as a result of the storm.
The APS Council set aside $50,000 for the grants but will consider increasing its contribution to the relief fund if it is needed. The Society will work with the chairs of the affected departments to assess need. The application deadline is October 24, 2008.
"We want to help our graduate students and post-docs get back on their feet and back to work as soon as possible so that they can continue their valuable contributions to the field of physiology," said APS President Irving Zucker.
The Society is also accepting donations from those who want to help in the effort. Applications and donations can be made by going to the APS web site at the-aps/ike.htm.
The APS provided similar grants in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, distributing more than $80,000 to students in need.
Physiology is the study of how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function to create health or disease. The American Physiological Society (The-APS/press) has been an integral part of this discovery process since it was established in 1887.
Source: Christine Guilfoy
American Physiological Society
Statement By Ann M. Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director, On The Situation In Yemen
"The ongoing conflict in Saada has forced more than 100,000 people to flee their homes at great risks to their lives and well-being. Children and women represent the majority of the displaced.
"The humanitarian situation in the camps continues to deteriorate due to the lack of such basic services as safe water, adequate sanitation and nutrition.
"Thousands of more families remain trapped inside the conflict zone, unable to reach safer areas. They too are in urgent need of humanitarian support.
"UNICEF stands ready to assist the civilian population. It is essential that we gain immediate and secure access to provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance. Children cannot be the innocent victims of conflict."
Source
UNICEF
"The humanitarian situation in the camps continues to deteriorate due to the lack of such basic services as safe water, adequate sanitation and nutrition.
"Thousands of more families remain trapped inside the conflict zone, unable to reach safer areas. They too are in urgent need of humanitarian support.
"UNICEF stands ready to assist the civilian population. It is essential that we gain immediate and secure access to provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance. Children cannot be the innocent victims of conflict."
Source
UNICEF
UN Agency Launches 'Operation Lifeline Gaza' To Feed Thousands Of Hungry
The United Nations food agency today announced an initiative to help ramp up food distribution to the growing number of hungry people in the Gaza Strip, where a military offensive Israel says it launched in response to Hamas rocket attacks is in its 15th day.
Operation Lifeline Gaza is a World Food Programme (WFP) scheme aiming to provide ready-to-eat, culturally acceptable food to hundreds of thousands of people caught in the conflict.
"We are proposing an immediate, innovative solution to hunger in an unusually challenging situation, where many people are suffering from a complete breakdown in access to food and clean water," said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.
"Even in the limited windows of opportunity when we can distribute food we have to remember that many people lack the means to cook and prepare meals for their families," said Ms. Sheeran, who went to the Egyptian border with Gaza on Friday.
As of yesterday, the violence had already killed an estimated 792 people and wounded over 3,200 in the occupied Palestinian territory, according to reports cited as credible by UN officials.
"We are in the business of feeding hungry people in difficult situations - in earthquake zones, droughts, or after tsunamis - but Gaza presents one of the toughest challenges we have faced because access to the hungry is so limited," said Ms. Sheeran
Ms. Sheeran announced Operation Lifeline Gaza after meeting yesterday with the head of the Egyptian Red Crescent, Suzanne Mubarak, and the Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry, Rachid Mohamed Rachid.
The Egyptian government, which gathered a large number of companies in Cairo at the launch of the new initiative, has pledged to facilitate the proposal by offering assistance to businesses that can provide food to WFP.
WFP has made repeated appeals for a rapid expansion of humanitarian access to Gaza as its staff has continued working throughout the conflict, providing food assistance to more than 75,000 people despite the high levels of insecurity.
While WFP has sufficient food stocks to feed around 360,000 people for the next three weeks, the heavy fighting has limited the possibility of wide-scale distributions. Many truck drivers and fork lift truck operators have been unwilling to work fearing for their safety and the civilian population is often too frightened to go to food distribution points.
United Nations News Centre
Operation Lifeline Gaza is a World Food Programme (WFP) scheme aiming to provide ready-to-eat, culturally acceptable food to hundreds of thousands of people caught in the conflict.
"We are proposing an immediate, innovative solution to hunger in an unusually challenging situation, where many people are suffering from a complete breakdown in access to food and clean water," said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.
"Even in the limited windows of opportunity when we can distribute food we have to remember that many people lack the means to cook and prepare meals for their families," said Ms. Sheeran, who went to the Egyptian border with Gaza on Friday.
As of yesterday, the violence had already killed an estimated 792 people and wounded over 3,200 in the occupied Palestinian territory, according to reports cited as credible by UN officials.
"We are in the business of feeding hungry people in difficult situations - in earthquake zones, droughts, or after tsunamis - but Gaza presents one of the toughest challenges we have faced because access to the hungry is so limited," said Ms. Sheeran
Ms. Sheeran announced Operation Lifeline Gaza after meeting yesterday with the head of the Egyptian Red Crescent, Suzanne Mubarak, and the Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry, Rachid Mohamed Rachid.
The Egyptian government, which gathered a large number of companies in Cairo at the launch of the new initiative, has pledged to facilitate the proposal by offering assistance to businesses that can provide food to WFP.
WFP has made repeated appeals for a rapid expansion of humanitarian access to Gaza as its staff has continued working throughout the conflict, providing food assistance to more than 75,000 people despite the high levels of insecurity.
While WFP has sufficient food stocks to feed around 360,000 people for the next three weeks, the heavy fighting has limited the possibility of wide-scale distributions. Many truck drivers and fork lift truck operators have been unwilling to work fearing for their safety and the civilian population is often too frightened to go to food distribution points.
United Nations News Centre
Schering-Plough to Provide Financial, Product Donations in Support of Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort
Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) today announced that it will make a $500,000 cash contribution and provide $2 million (wholesale value) in medicines and other products in support of the massive relief effort under way to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. In response to a request from the American Red Cross, the company has already contributed 100,000 units of COPPERTONE(R) sunscreen.
In addition, Schering-Plough is putting in place a special employee matching gifts program for employees to contribute to the relief effort. The company will match employee contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Colleagues will be able to select from a number of charitable organizations to receive their donations.
"We are all deeply saddened by the loss of life and massive destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina," said Fred Hassan, Schering-Plough chairman and CEO. "Schering-Plough is proud to be able to contribute to the relief efforts to assist victims of this disaster, which now appears to be among the worst natural catastrophes in the nation's history."
Schering-Plough is a global science-based health care company with leading prescription, consumer and animal health products. Through internal research and collaborations with partners, Schering-Plough discovers, develops, manufactures and markets advanced drug therapies to meet important medical needs. Schering-Plough's vision is to earn the trust of the physicians, patients and customers served by its more than 30,000 people around the world. The company is based in Kenilworth, N.J., and its Web site is schering-plough
In addition, Schering-Plough is putting in place a special employee matching gifts program for employees to contribute to the relief effort. The company will match employee contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Colleagues will be able to select from a number of charitable organizations to receive their donations.
"We are all deeply saddened by the loss of life and massive destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina," said Fred Hassan, Schering-Plough chairman and CEO. "Schering-Plough is proud to be able to contribute to the relief efforts to assist victims of this disaster, which now appears to be among the worst natural catastrophes in the nation's history."
Schering-Plough is a global science-based health care company with leading prescription, consumer and animal health products. Through internal research and collaborations with partners, Schering-Plough discovers, develops, manufactures and markets advanced drug therapies to meet important medical needs. Schering-Plough's vision is to earn the trust of the physicians, patients and customers served by its more than 30,000 people around the world. The company is based in Kenilworth, N.J., and its Web site is schering-plough
Doctors Without Borders Statement On Global Fund Replenishment Outcome
Major donor countries have chosen to undercut the main international funding mechanism to save the lives of millions of people at risk of dying from AIDS, TB, and malaria, said the international medical humanitarian organization Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) today.
The decision of major donor countries to massively underfund the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, made at the Fund's replenishment conference in New York today, will cost lives and severely weaken the ability of countries to implement programs that would reverse the tide of three of the largest infectious killers worldwide.
Dr. Jennifer Cohn, MSF HIV/AIDS Policy Advisor said: "Today marks a sad turning point in the fight against AIDS, TB, and malaria: world leaders have officially underfinanced the Global Fund. This decision will result in the death of millions of people from otherwise treatable diseases. Ambitious country programs, which could mean the difference between life and death, may no longer be feasible. A crisis plan and additional contributions are now urgently needed in order to maintain current grants and expand and improve promising treatment and prevention programs."
Malawi is one example of what is at stake. The Malawian government recently submitted a Global Fund application for a program that would dramatically reduce the transmission of HIV from pregnant women to their children. The program, which could bring the rate of mother-to-child infections down from the current rate of 35 percent to as low as two percent, may no longer be possible. Similarly, efforts in Kenya and South Africa to provide treatment to all who require it will be made nearly impossible without a well-funded Global Fund.
The Global Fund estimates that if its target of $20 billion over three years were achieved, 7.5 million people would receive antiretroviral therapy, up from 2.5 million at the end of 2009. In its estimates, the Global Fund did not take into account the additional cost of international plans to expand diagnosis and treatment of drug resistant tuberculosis, or the cost of implementing new WHO treatment guidelines which call for improved first-line HIV medicines and starting patients on treatment earlier.
The Global Fund replenishment conference pledges reached 11.7 billion, far short of the $20 billion needed to expand programs and even short of the $13 billion needed just to keep existing programs running.
This year, the U.S. participated in the Global Fund replenishment for the first time. It has pledged $4 billion over three years - a disappointing amount given that the US generally contributes one-third of the Fund's finances. The US has already flatlined funding for the bilateral President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Countries such as Italy and Sweden have not made contributions to the Global Fund. Countries including France, have increased their contributions, albeit modestly. Germany funding levels remained flat.
"Today's failure by global leaders is particularly shameful because it comes just weeks after the Millennium Development Goals Summit, when they reaffirmed their commitments to global health," said Dr. Cohn.
Source:
Doctors Without Borders
The decision of major donor countries to massively underfund the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, made at the Fund's replenishment conference in New York today, will cost lives and severely weaken the ability of countries to implement programs that would reverse the tide of three of the largest infectious killers worldwide.
Dr. Jennifer Cohn, MSF HIV/AIDS Policy Advisor said: "Today marks a sad turning point in the fight against AIDS, TB, and malaria: world leaders have officially underfinanced the Global Fund. This decision will result in the death of millions of people from otherwise treatable diseases. Ambitious country programs, which could mean the difference between life and death, may no longer be feasible. A crisis plan and additional contributions are now urgently needed in order to maintain current grants and expand and improve promising treatment and prevention programs."
Malawi is one example of what is at stake. The Malawian government recently submitted a Global Fund application for a program that would dramatically reduce the transmission of HIV from pregnant women to their children. The program, which could bring the rate of mother-to-child infections down from the current rate of 35 percent to as low as two percent, may no longer be possible. Similarly, efforts in Kenya and South Africa to provide treatment to all who require it will be made nearly impossible without a well-funded Global Fund.
The Global Fund estimates that if its target of $20 billion over three years were achieved, 7.5 million people would receive antiretroviral therapy, up from 2.5 million at the end of 2009. In its estimates, the Global Fund did not take into account the additional cost of international plans to expand diagnosis and treatment of drug resistant tuberculosis, or the cost of implementing new WHO treatment guidelines which call for improved first-line HIV medicines and starting patients on treatment earlier.
The Global Fund replenishment conference pledges reached 11.7 billion, far short of the $20 billion needed to expand programs and even short of the $13 billion needed just to keep existing programs running.
This year, the U.S. participated in the Global Fund replenishment for the first time. It has pledged $4 billion over three years - a disappointing amount given that the US generally contributes one-third of the Fund's finances. The US has already flatlined funding for the bilateral President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Countries such as Italy and Sweden have not made contributions to the Global Fund. Countries including France, have increased their contributions, albeit modestly. Germany funding levels remained flat.
"Today's failure by global leaders is particularly shameful because it comes just weeks after the Millennium Development Goals Summit, when they reaffirmed their commitments to global health," said Dr. Cohn.
Source:
Doctors Without Borders
Southeastern Michigan Blood Supply Is At A Critical Low
The blood supply in
Southeastern Michigan has dwindled down to a critical level. The American
Red Cross urges anyone who is eligible to donate to do so at this time. All
blood types are needed, but especially O negative, the universal type that
can be used in emergency situations.
Thinking of the campus tragedy that happened this week, would our
community be ready with the blood we need to save lives? In an emergency,
it is the blood on the shelf that saves lives. As of today, Thursday, April
19, 2007 the Red Cross reports that there are 0 units of O -negative blood
on Red Cross refrigerator shelves with a back order of 80 units. To be
prepared for any emergency need 237 units are required.
"We struggle to keep enough type O blood on the shelves at this time of
year," explains Louise Eisenbrey, Director of Donor Services. "Schools
sponsor many of our blood drives in April, but most students giving for the
first time don't know their blood type.
"Donors of all types are needed every day, but for certain patients O-
negative is of vital importance. We urge type O donors to step up to the
plate to give their unique gift. If you don't know your blood type,
donating is a great way to find out."
American Red Cross
givelife
Southeastern Michigan has dwindled down to a critical level. The American
Red Cross urges anyone who is eligible to donate to do so at this time. All
blood types are needed, but especially O negative, the universal type that
can be used in emergency situations.
Thinking of the campus tragedy that happened this week, would our
community be ready with the blood we need to save lives? In an emergency,
it is the blood on the shelf that saves lives. As of today, Thursday, April
19, 2007 the Red Cross reports that there are 0 units of O -negative blood
on Red Cross refrigerator shelves with a back order of 80 units. To be
prepared for any emergency need 237 units are required.
"We struggle to keep enough type O blood on the shelves at this time of
year," explains Louise Eisenbrey, Director of Donor Services. "Schools
sponsor many of our blood drives in April, but most students giving for the
first time don't know their blood type.
"Donors of all types are needed every day, but for certain patients O-
negative is of vital importance. We urge type O donors to step up to the
plate to give their unique gift. If you don't know your blood type,
donating is a great way to find out."
American Red Cross
givelife
An Action Plan For Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe's once proud achievements in health have been undermined over the past 20 years by increasing poverty, bad governance, poor economic policies, widespread HIV/AIDS, and a weakened health system. A Viewpoint published Online First and an upcoming edition of The Lancet states the priorities that the country must address to improve its currently horrendous health indicators. The Viewpoint is written by group of doctors with expert knowledge of Zimbabwe, led by Dr Charles Todd, former chairman, University of Zimbabwe School of Medicine, and Westongrove Partnership, Wendover Health Centre, Aylesbury, UK, and colleagues.
Zimbabwe's Government of National Unity (GNU), established on Feb 13, 2009, has instigated at 100-day recovery plan, which has seen the country's health sector gradually begin operating again, with doctors and nurses returning to posts and health centres once again operational. The decline in health indicators over the past three decades has been immense. Between 1990 and 2006, life expectancy at birth plummeted from 62 to 43 years, mostly from increased young adult mortality from HIV-related conditions. Mortality rates of children younger than 5 years and infants rose from 77 and 53 per 1000 livebirths in 1992 to 82 and 60 in 2003, respectively. Maternal mortality rose from 168 per 100 000 births in 199014 to 725 per 100 000 in 2007. Tuberculosis incidence increased from 136 per 100 000 in 1990 to 557 per 100 000 in 2006.These indicators are related to the high prevalence of HIV/ AIDS, which was estimated at 26% in 2000 in adults aged 15-45 years but declined to 15???3% by 2007. In 1994, 80???1% of children aged 12-23 months had received all basic vaccines compared with 74???8% in 1999 and only 52???6% in 2006-07.By early 2009, hospitals in the country were hardly operating, with massive shortages of essential medicines and supplies. Although most hospitals are now functioning again, shortages are still commonplace and patients usually need to buy medicines, intravenous fluids, and other supplies.
The authors believe priority must now go to the re-establishment of essential
services such as effective emergency obstetric care in all districts. This challenge will mean refocusing the work of central and provincial hospitals to providing secondary
health care. Furthermore, they suggest the following priorities for restoring Zimbabwe's health service and health training institutions:
- The Ministry of Health, together with leading civil society groups, UN agencies, and donors, should evaluate implementation of the 100-day action plan and craft a budgeted, medium-term health-care recovery plan including priority actions to tackle Zimbabwe's major health issues.
- The Health Services Fund-originally established in the 1990s to retain user fees at local level and later used for increased donor support to district health services-should be resuscitated. This would provide directly accessible funds for district health teams to maintain effective health services.
- The training of specialist mid-level workers (ie, clinical officers and nurse anaesthetists) should be rapidly restored and expanded, taking the lead from Malawi and Mozambique where such workers perform key frontline health functions. The existing health workforce cannot meet Zimbabwe's needs so any resistance to specialist mid-level workers from professional associations must be overcome.
- The return of health professionals to Zimbabwe should be encouraged, but without disadvantaging those who have remained.
- The Ministry of Health should continue to promote an inclusive and cooperative ethos. Voluntary organisations and missions should be further supported. Civil society organisations involved in health should be formally recognised, and their advocacy of human rights and monitoring of donor funds encouraged.
- The political will to tackle the deep-rooted culture of violence and impunity should be nurtured and translated into legislation, including the establishment of a Healing and Reconciliation Commission and permitting human rights' organisations to run programmes for community-based mental health care of survivors of organised violence.
The authors conclude: "Success in the 1980s was built on widespread community mobilisation accompanying a protracted struggle for human rights. Since then, Zimbabweans have been systematically deprived of these rights, including the right to health. A new opportunity now exists to rebuild the health-care system; its success will be contingent on firmly re-establishing the principles of social justice, equity, and public participation."
Link to viewpoint
Source
The Lancet
Zimbabwe's Government of National Unity (GNU), established on Feb 13, 2009, has instigated at 100-day recovery plan, which has seen the country's health sector gradually begin operating again, with doctors and nurses returning to posts and health centres once again operational. The decline in health indicators over the past three decades has been immense. Between 1990 and 2006, life expectancy at birth plummeted from 62 to 43 years, mostly from increased young adult mortality from HIV-related conditions. Mortality rates of children younger than 5 years and infants rose from 77 and 53 per 1000 livebirths in 1992 to 82 and 60 in 2003, respectively. Maternal mortality rose from 168 per 100 000 births in 199014 to 725 per 100 000 in 2007. Tuberculosis incidence increased from 136 per 100 000 in 1990 to 557 per 100 000 in 2006.These indicators are related to the high prevalence of HIV/ AIDS, which was estimated at 26% in 2000 in adults aged 15-45 years but declined to 15???3% by 2007. In 1994, 80???1% of children aged 12-23 months had received all basic vaccines compared with 74???8% in 1999 and only 52???6% in 2006-07.By early 2009, hospitals in the country were hardly operating, with massive shortages of essential medicines and supplies. Although most hospitals are now functioning again, shortages are still commonplace and patients usually need to buy medicines, intravenous fluids, and other supplies.
The authors believe priority must now go to the re-establishment of essential
services such as effective emergency obstetric care in all districts. This challenge will mean refocusing the work of central and provincial hospitals to providing secondary
health care. Furthermore, they suggest the following priorities for restoring Zimbabwe's health service and health training institutions:
- The Ministry of Health, together with leading civil society groups, UN agencies, and donors, should evaluate implementation of the 100-day action plan and craft a budgeted, medium-term health-care recovery plan including priority actions to tackle Zimbabwe's major health issues.
- The Health Services Fund-originally established in the 1990s to retain user fees at local level and later used for increased donor support to district health services-should be resuscitated. This would provide directly accessible funds for district health teams to maintain effective health services.
- The training of specialist mid-level workers (ie, clinical officers and nurse anaesthetists) should be rapidly restored and expanded, taking the lead from Malawi and Mozambique where such workers perform key frontline health functions. The existing health workforce cannot meet Zimbabwe's needs so any resistance to specialist mid-level workers from professional associations must be overcome.
- The return of health professionals to Zimbabwe should be encouraged, but without disadvantaging those who have remained.
- The Ministry of Health should continue to promote an inclusive and cooperative ethos. Voluntary organisations and missions should be further supported. Civil society organisations involved in health should be formally recognised, and their advocacy of human rights and monitoring of donor funds encouraged.
- The political will to tackle the deep-rooted culture of violence and impunity should be nurtured and translated into legislation, including the establishment of a Healing and Reconciliation Commission and permitting human rights' organisations to run programmes for community-based mental health care of survivors of organised violence.
The authors conclude: "Success in the 1980s was built on widespread community mobilisation accompanying a protracted struggle for human rights. Since then, Zimbabweans have been systematically deprived of these rights, including the right to health. A new opportunity now exists to rebuild the health-care system; its success will be contingent on firmly re-establishing the principles of social justice, equity, and public participation."
Link to viewpoint
Source
The Lancet
Novo Nordisk Extends Programme Of Free Insulin And Diabetes Care To Reach 700 Children In Bangladesh
Novo Nordisk cannounced that it would extend the Changing Diabetes® in Children programme to include Bangladesh. This is the sixth country to get diabetes care, including free insulin, for children with type 1 diabetes under this programme. In Bangladesh, the five year project is a joint initiative between Novo Nordisk and the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (DAB), supported by the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF).
The project includes the setting-up of three dedicated paediatric diabetes clinics for diagnosis and treatment of children with type 1 diabetes. In addition to basic diabetes care and free insulin, the clinics will also provide patient education and registration, and training for healthcare professionals. Eight doctors and eight diabetes educators will support the clinics to ensure proper follow-up with all children enrolled in the project.
In partnership with LifeScan Inc., the project will provide blood glucose monitoring supplies (glucometers and strips) to children enrolled in the programme.
Bangladesh is one of the countries in the world with the lowest healthcare spending per capita. According to the International Diabetes Federation, there are some 14,300 children living with type 1 diabetes in Bangladesh. Diabetes care is mostly provided through DAB and its 57 affiliated associations around the country.
"Currently, children with diabetes are managed primarily by adult diabetes clinics or general medical outpatient clinics, but treating diabetes in children is not the same as treating diabetes in adults," says Professor Azad Khan, president of DAB.
In Bangladesh, many children with type 1 diabetes come from poor socioeconomic backgrounds and their families cannot afford to pay for diabetes care and insulin. This is why Bangladesh has been chosen as the sixth country in Novo Nordisk's ambitious five-year programme.
"We believe that access to diabetes care is not only about bringing life-saving medicines to people who need them. It starts earlier and reaches further. It's about working in partnership to develop a structured diabetes care model," says Leif Fenger Jensen, vice president, Strategic Operations of Novo Nordisk.
The Changing Diabetes® in Children programme is part of Novo Nordisk's Access to Diabetes Care strategy and builds on the UN-defined cornerstones in the right to health. The programme was launched earlier this year and is pursuing an initial roll-out in the five sub-Saharan countries Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea Conakry, Tanzania and Uganda. Novo Nordisk hopes that by expanding the programme to Bangladesh and eventually to many more countries in the coming years, many more children will be saved.
By the end of each five-year project, it is Novo Nordisk's aim, that a sustainable cooperation with local partners, including governments and diabetes associations, has created a number of well-functioning diabetes clinics, built on a solid national capacity and general awareness in the field of diagnosis and treatment of type 1 diabetes in children.
Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 29,000 employees in 81 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'.
Source: Novo Nordisk
The project includes the setting-up of three dedicated paediatric diabetes clinics for diagnosis and treatment of children with type 1 diabetes. In addition to basic diabetes care and free insulin, the clinics will also provide patient education and registration, and training for healthcare professionals. Eight doctors and eight diabetes educators will support the clinics to ensure proper follow-up with all children enrolled in the project.
In partnership with LifeScan Inc., the project will provide blood glucose monitoring supplies (glucometers and strips) to children enrolled in the programme.
Bangladesh is one of the countries in the world with the lowest healthcare spending per capita. According to the International Diabetes Federation, there are some 14,300 children living with type 1 diabetes in Bangladesh. Diabetes care is mostly provided through DAB and its 57 affiliated associations around the country.
"Currently, children with diabetes are managed primarily by adult diabetes clinics or general medical outpatient clinics, but treating diabetes in children is not the same as treating diabetes in adults," says Professor Azad Khan, president of DAB.
In Bangladesh, many children with type 1 diabetes come from poor socioeconomic backgrounds and their families cannot afford to pay for diabetes care and insulin. This is why Bangladesh has been chosen as the sixth country in Novo Nordisk's ambitious five-year programme.
"We believe that access to diabetes care is not only about bringing life-saving medicines to people who need them. It starts earlier and reaches further. It's about working in partnership to develop a structured diabetes care model," says Leif Fenger Jensen, vice president, Strategic Operations of Novo Nordisk.
The Changing Diabetes® in Children programme is part of Novo Nordisk's Access to Diabetes Care strategy and builds on the UN-defined cornerstones in the right to health. The programme was launched earlier this year and is pursuing an initial roll-out in the five sub-Saharan countries Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea Conakry, Tanzania and Uganda. Novo Nordisk hopes that by expanding the programme to Bangladesh and eventually to many more countries in the coming years, many more children will be saved.
By the end of each five-year project, it is Novo Nordisk's aim, that a sustainable cooperation with local partners, including governments and diabetes associations, has created a number of well-functioning diabetes clinics, built on a solid national capacity and general awareness in the field of diagnosis and treatment of type 1 diabetes in children.
Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 29,000 employees in 81 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'.
Source: Novo Nordisk
Red Cross Making Preparations As Tropical Storm Ida Heads Toward Gulf Coast
The American Red Cross is preparing for Tropical Storm Ida to make landfall along the Gulf Coast, opening shelters in four states.
The Red Cross is opening shelters in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. Residents in those states should heed the warnings of local officials, especially if evacuation orders are issued.
Although recently downgraded from a hurricane, Tropical Storm Ida is packing 70 mph winds and heavy rain and is expected to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast Tuesday morning and then turn toward the east. Tropical storm warnings are issued from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle and governors in Louisiana and Florida have declared states of emergency.
"Anyone in the path of the storm should make the necessary preparations right away and also register themselves on Safe and Well if they plan on evacuating," said Joe Becker, senior vice president of Disaster Services for the Red Cross. "Ida is predicted to drop up to six inches of rain along the Gulf Coast."
The Red Cross also is urging people who may be impacted by the storm to take the necessary steps to get ready.
The Red Cross Safe and Well web site is an online tool that those affected by disaster can use to register their status. If there is no internet access, people can ask a loved one to register for them, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register. If family members know someone's telephone number or complete home address, they can search the site for messages posted by those who register.
The Red Cross encourages those who plan to stay in a Red Cross shelter to bring the following items for each member of their family: prescription and emergency medication, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, important documents and other comfort items. Additionally, special items for children and infants, such as diapers, formulas and toys, should be brought, along with other special items for family members who are elderly or disabled.
Those in areas potentially affected by the storm can follow these safety steps if flooding is predicted for their community:
- Listen to area radio and television stations and a NOAA Weather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress).
- Be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice.
- When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for the area, head for higher ground and stay there.
- Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way.
- If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
- Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
- Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
For more information on what to do to be prepared and stay safe during this storm, visit redcross.
Help people affected by disasters like floods and tropical storms by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross.
Source
American Red Cross
The Red Cross is opening shelters in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. Residents in those states should heed the warnings of local officials, especially if evacuation orders are issued.
Although recently downgraded from a hurricane, Tropical Storm Ida is packing 70 mph winds and heavy rain and is expected to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast Tuesday morning and then turn toward the east. Tropical storm warnings are issued from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle and governors in Louisiana and Florida have declared states of emergency.
"Anyone in the path of the storm should make the necessary preparations right away and also register themselves on Safe and Well if they plan on evacuating," said Joe Becker, senior vice president of Disaster Services for the Red Cross. "Ida is predicted to drop up to six inches of rain along the Gulf Coast."
The Red Cross also is urging people who may be impacted by the storm to take the necessary steps to get ready.
The Red Cross Safe and Well web site is an online tool that those affected by disaster can use to register their status. If there is no internet access, people can ask a loved one to register for them, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register. If family members know someone's telephone number or complete home address, they can search the site for messages posted by those who register.
The Red Cross encourages those who plan to stay in a Red Cross shelter to bring the following items for each member of their family: prescription and emergency medication, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, important documents and other comfort items. Additionally, special items for children and infants, such as diapers, formulas and toys, should be brought, along with other special items for family members who are elderly or disabled.
Those in areas potentially affected by the storm can follow these safety steps if flooding is predicted for their community:
- Listen to area radio and television stations and a NOAA Weather Radio for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress).
- Be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice.
- When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for the area, head for higher ground and stay there.
- Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way.
- If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
- Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
- Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
For more information on what to do to be prepared and stay safe during this storm, visit redcross.
Help people affected by disasters like floods and tropical storms by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross.
Source
American Red Cross
Oxfam Aware Of Situation Following Large Earthquake In Haiti And Poised To Respond
Jane Cocking, Humanitarian Director, Oxfam, said that it is still too early to assess the full severity the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12th. Cocking added that early signs are not good with communications across the country.
"Oxfam has its emergency response team for Latin America based in Haiti so we are well prepared, with a public health, water and sanitation team in Port-au-Prince ready to respond. We also have emergency supplies in Panama that we are preparing to send in as soon as possible."
Kristie van de Wetering, a former Oxfam employee still based in Port-au-Prince described the situation as "very chaotic with houses in rubbles everywhere. There is a blanket of dust rising from the valley south of the capital. We can hear people calling for help from every corner. The aftershocks are ongoing and making people very nervous."
Cocking said: "We hope to know more in the coming hours. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere where 85% of people already live in poverty, given the desperate needs that people face on a day to day basis, this earthquake is grim news for the poor people of Haiti."
Make a donation.
Source: Oxfam
"Oxfam has its emergency response team for Latin America based in Haiti so we are well prepared, with a public health, water and sanitation team in Port-au-Prince ready to respond. We also have emergency supplies in Panama that we are preparing to send in as soon as possible."
Kristie van de Wetering, a former Oxfam employee still based in Port-au-Prince described the situation as "very chaotic with houses in rubbles everywhere. There is a blanket of dust rising from the valley south of the capital. We can hear people calling for help from every corner. The aftershocks are ongoing and making people very nervous."
Cocking said: "We hope to know more in the coming hours. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere where 85% of people already live in poverty, given the desperate needs that people face on a day to day basis, this earthquake is grim news for the poor people of Haiti."
Make a donation.
Source: Oxfam
NC State Vets Lead Way In Disaster Response For Animals
Most people can picture the first responders who come to the rescue in the wake of a natural disaster. But who provides emergency help for the dogs, cats and horses that people love? And who takes care of the cows, poultry and hogs that form the backbone of animal agriculture? North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine is helping to fill the need through a unique initiative that requires all of its students to receive disaster training, providing a new generation of leaders in veterinary medicine and disaster response.
"This training program is important because there is a real need to build our capacity to respond to disasters," says Dr. Dianne Dunning, co-author of a recent study on NC State's landmark training requirement and director of the university's Animal Welfare, Ethics and Public Policy Program. "Emergency response is generally geared towards people, particularly at the local level. We need to protect the health of the people and the health of the animals - whether they are pets or livestock related to a region's livelihood. We believe this training will help veterinarians respond to the needs of both people and animals.
"NC State has the only college of veterinary medicine that requires all of its students to take a formal disaster response training program, and we hope this is a model for others to follow," Dunning says. Students, who must take the program to graduate, earn advanced state and federal disaster training certifications.
The training program deals with a variety of disaster response issues associated with a staggering array of animals. Students are taught how to work with displaced people and their pets. For example, learning how to set up and operate mobile animal shelters that can be located near emergency shelters for displaced people.
Students are also taught how to respond to an epidemic in livestock in order to stop disease from spreading - a crucial step in preventing disruption of local and regional economies that depend on animal agriculture. Preventive measures include quarantining animals, as well as ensuring that veterinarians, farmers and others don't spread the disease on their clothes or shoes.
But the disaster training is not limited to dealing with animals - it extends to overarching planning and response. "The course gives our students the skills they need to become leaders in their communities when it comes to disaster response," Dunning says. "The training touches on a host of skills required in the wake of a disaster: fundamental psychology, effective communication, hazardous material handling, and the ability to anticipate, identify, and respond to new needs as they crop up."
The training program is part of the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine's "One Medicine" philosophy, which focuses on the belief that human and animal health rely on overlapping fields of scientific and medical knowledge, and related fields of research.
The paper outlining the emergency response training program was published in the fall issue of the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education. The paper was co-authored by NC State's Dunning, Drs. Michael Martin, Peter Cowen and Barrett Slenning, Dr. Jimmy Tickel of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Dr. Bill Gentry of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Source: Matt Shipman
North Carolina State University
"This training program is important because there is a real need to build our capacity to respond to disasters," says Dr. Dianne Dunning, co-author of a recent study on NC State's landmark training requirement and director of the university's Animal Welfare, Ethics and Public Policy Program. "Emergency response is generally geared towards people, particularly at the local level. We need to protect the health of the people and the health of the animals - whether they are pets or livestock related to a region's livelihood. We believe this training will help veterinarians respond to the needs of both people and animals.
"NC State has the only college of veterinary medicine that requires all of its students to take a formal disaster response training program, and we hope this is a model for others to follow," Dunning says. Students, who must take the program to graduate, earn advanced state and federal disaster training certifications.
The training program deals with a variety of disaster response issues associated with a staggering array of animals. Students are taught how to work with displaced people and their pets. For example, learning how to set up and operate mobile animal shelters that can be located near emergency shelters for displaced people.
Students are also taught how to respond to an epidemic in livestock in order to stop disease from spreading - a crucial step in preventing disruption of local and regional economies that depend on animal agriculture. Preventive measures include quarantining animals, as well as ensuring that veterinarians, farmers and others don't spread the disease on their clothes or shoes.
But the disaster training is not limited to dealing with animals - it extends to overarching planning and response. "The course gives our students the skills they need to become leaders in their communities when it comes to disaster response," Dunning says. "The training touches on a host of skills required in the wake of a disaster: fundamental psychology, effective communication, hazardous material handling, and the ability to anticipate, identify, and respond to new needs as they crop up."
The training program is part of the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine's "One Medicine" philosophy, which focuses on the belief that human and animal health rely on overlapping fields of scientific and medical knowledge, and related fields of research.
The paper outlining the emergency response training program was published in the fall issue of the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education. The paper was co-authored by NC State's Dunning, Drs. Michael Martin, Peter Cowen and Barrett Slenning, Dr. Jimmy Tickel of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Dr. Bill Gentry of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Source: Matt Shipman
North Carolina State University
UNICEF Positions Emergency Supplies For Tropical Storm As Cholera Outbreak Continues In Haiti
UNICEF is rushing to ensure adequate emergency supplies in preparation for a severe tropical storm, as it works with UN and NGO partners to support the Government of Haiti's response to the recent cholera outbreak.
"UNICEF staff have been working with our partners around the clock to help address and contain the cholera outbreak," said Ms Francoise Gruloos-Ackermans, UNICEF Representative in Haiti. "Now, the potential landfall of this tropical storm endangers the work completed to date and poses a new threat of the water-borne cholera disease being spread by inland flooding."
"This latest threat comes as the country is struggling to recover from the devastating earthquake that struck last January," Ms Gruloos-Ackermans added.
UNICEF is working in close partnership with WHO, WFP and OCHA to coordinate this international response, particularly in light of the fact that in the combination of cholera, a tropical storm, and the aftermath of the January earthquake threaten to create the ideal conditions for an emergency of nation-wide proportions. A priority will be on safeguarding and reducing impacts on children and mothers.
UNICEF is also coordinating with its NGO partners throughout Haiti in responding both to the cholera outbreak and preparing for the forecasted arrival of tropical storm. Coordination with WHO-OPS is underway with the Ministry of Health for the development of the cholera multi-sectoral response plan.
According to information released today by the Haitian Ministry of Health, there have been 442 deaths and 6,742 hospitalizations attributed to cholera in numerous locations throughout the country, suggesting that the disease continues to spread rapidly.
Special emphasis for the cholera response has been on informing communities and families about the preventative actions they can take to protect themselves from cholera. Community mobilizers are sharing health and sanitation-related information with residents as they distribute UNICEF-supplied oral rehydration salts and water purification tablets. Patients and their families being treated at health care facilities are also receiving preventative information.
UNICEF is focusing supply distribution efforts in areas southwest of Port-au-Prince with the distribution of medical, nutrition, and sanitation stocks. Tropical storm contingency supplies are being prepositioned in communities throughout Haiti, including areas not directly affected by the cholera outbreak. These supplies include water purification kits, tarpaulins, oral rehydration salts, jerrycans, water purification tablets, and zinc tablets, which reduce the effects of diarrhoea.
UNICEF is also prepositioning additional health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies, including essential drugs, therapeutic foods, buckets, soap, tarpaulins, water bladders, and chlorine purification powder, for Grande Anse, South and Southeast departments of this Caribbean nation, areas which risk being isolated due to heavy rain.
These emergency supplies are in addition to already prepositioned storm response stocks that have been depleted as a result of the unanticipated outbreak of cholera in the Artibonite region north of the capital.
Pre-positioned stocks, however, may not be sufficient. Urgently needed are additional water, hygiene, and sanitation supplies. UNICEF Haiti is sourcing many of its stocks directly from suppliers worldwide.
Source:
UNICEF
"UNICEF staff have been working with our partners around the clock to help address and contain the cholera outbreak," said Ms Francoise Gruloos-Ackermans, UNICEF Representative in Haiti. "Now, the potential landfall of this tropical storm endangers the work completed to date and poses a new threat of the water-borne cholera disease being spread by inland flooding."
"This latest threat comes as the country is struggling to recover from the devastating earthquake that struck last January," Ms Gruloos-Ackermans added.
UNICEF is working in close partnership with WHO, WFP and OCHA to coordinate this international response, particularly in light of the fact that in the combination of cholera, a tropical storm, and the aftermath of the January earthquake threaten to create the ideal conditions for an emergency of nation-wide proportions. A priority will be on safeguarding and reducing impacts on children and mothers.
UNICEF is also coordinating with its NGO partners throughout Haiti in responding both to the cholera outbreak and preparing for the forecasted arrival of tropical storm. Coordination with WHO-OPS is underway with the Ministry of Health for the development of the cholera multi-sectoral response plan.
According to information released today by the Haitian Ministry of Health, there have been 442 deaths and 6,742 hospitalizations attributed to cholera in numerous locations throughout the country, suggesting that the disease continues to spread rapidly.
Special emphasis for the cholera response has been on informing communities and families about the preventative actions they can take to protect themselves from cholera. Community mobilizers are sharing health and sanitation-related information with residents as they distribute UNICEF-supplied oral rehydration salts and water purification tablets. Patients and their families being treated at health care facilities are also receiving preventative information.
UNICEF is focusing supply distribution efforts in areas southwest of Port-au-Prince with the distribution of medical, nutrition, and sanitation stocks. Tropical storm contingency supplies are being prepositioned in communities throughout Haiti, including areas not directly affected by the cholera outbreak. These supplies include water purification kits, tarpaulins, oral rehydration salts, jerrycans, water purification tablets, and zinc tablets, which reduce the effects of diarrhoea.
UNICEF is also prepositioning additional health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies, including essential drugs, therapeutic foods, buckets, soap, tarpaulins, water bladders, and chlorine purification powder, for Grande Anse, South and Southeast departments of this Caribbean nation, areas which risk being isolated due to heavy rain.
These emergency supplies are in addition to already prepositioned storm response stocks that have been depleted as a result of the unanticipated outbreak of cholera in the Artibonite region north of the capital.
Pre-positioned stocks, however, may not be sufficient. Urgently needed are additional water, hygiene, and sanitation supplies. UNICEF Haiti is sourcing many of its stocks directly from suppliers worldwide.
Source:
UNICEF
UNICEF Mobilizing For Qinghai Earthquake Disaster
UNICEF will send urgently needed relief supplies for children affected by yesterday's massive earthquake. The response will be coordinated with other UN agencies. The quake heavily damaged parts of remote Yushu Prefecture, a region mostly populated by Tibetan herdsmen. The quake, which was measured 7.1 by Chinese scientists, destroyed much of Jiegu (Pop. 100,000), the main town of Yushu Prefecture.
Approximately 617 deaths have been reported along with 9,110 injuries. Some 313 persons are missing and 100,000 are without shelter. On Wednesday night, many of Jiegu's residents slept outside in sub-zero temperatures. The total population of Yushu Prefecture is 357,000 and the child population is 122,700.
According to Qinghai health authorities the maternal and child health hospital in Yushu County has collapsed in the earthquake. There is an urgent need for medical supplies and childbirth equipment.
"We are organizing assistance to support the Chinese government's disaster response with a focus on the special needs of children and women," said Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, UNICEF Representative and UN Disaster Management Team Chair in China. "We are in constant consultation with our government partners to gather necessary information and it appears that there has been extensive destruction to homes, health facilities and schools."
According to local education bureau officials, 80 per cent of primary schools and 50 per cent of secondary schools in Yushu have been severely damaged affecting 22,719 students and 1,086 teachers. Although the quake struck before the start of classes on Wednesday morning, about half of the students in the sparsely populated region attend boarding schools. Authorities have requested UNICEF support to provide school tents, warm clothing, quilts and learning kits.
As of late Wednesday at least 56 students and five teachers had been reported killed in the quake. Many more students are missing and thought to be buried. Complete information is still difficult to obtain in the remote mountainous area on the border between Qinghai Province and Tibet.
The most urgent humanitarian needs right now are for food, water, tents, shelter, clothes, blankets, quilts, essential household items, medical supplies and rescue equipment. At this time of year in this mountainous region temperatures reach below freezing overnight. UNICEF has emergency stocks of school tents, children's winter clothes and blankets on hand and ready to be dispatched.
About UNICEF in China
UNICEF first assisted China between 1947 and 1951, providing emergency services, food and nutrition, health and hygiene training during and after the war of liberation. In 1979 UNICEF officially commenced its cooperation with the Government of China to support child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.
Source
UNICEF
Approximately 617 deaths have been reported along with 9,110 injuries. Some 313 persons are missing and 100,000 are without shelter. On Wednesday night, many of Jiegu's residents slept outside in sub-zero temperatures. The total population of Yushu Prefecture is 357,000 and the child population is 122,700.
According to Qinghai health authorities the maternal and child health hospital in Yushu County has collapsed in the earthquake. There is an urgent need for medical supplies and childbirth equipment.
"We are organizing assistance to support the Chinese government's disaster response with a focus on the special needs of children and women," said Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, UNICEF Representative and UN Disaster Management Team Chair in China. "We are in constant consultation with our government partners to gather necessary information and it appears that there has been extensive destruction to homes, health facilities and schools."
According to local education bureau officials, 80 per cent of primary schools and 50 per cent of secondary schools in Yushu have been severely damaged affecting 22,719 students and 1,086 teachers. Although the quake struck before the start of classes on Wednesday morning, about half of the students in the sparsely populated region attend boarding schools. Authorities have requested UNICEF support to provide school tents, warm clothing, quilts and learning kits.
As of late Wednesday at least 56 students and five teachers had been reported killed in the quake. Many more students are missing and thought to be buried. Complete information is still difficult to obtain in the remote mountainous area on the border between Qinghai Province and Tibet.
The most urgent humanitarian needs right now are for food, water, tents, shelter, clothes, blankets, quilts, essential household items, medical supplies and rescue equipment. At this time of year in this mountainous region temperatures reach below freezing overnight. UNICEF has emergency stocks of school tents, children's winter clothes and blankets on hand and ready to be dispatched.
About UNICEF in China
UNICEF first assisted China between 1947 and 1951, providing emergency services, food and nutrition, health and hygiene training during and after the war of liberation. In 1979 UNICEF officially commenced its cooperation with the Government of China to support child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.
Source
UNICEF
Institute Of Medicine Provides Guidance On Standards Of Health Care For Disaster Situations
In a new letter report to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Institute of Medicine provides guidance for state and local health agencies and health care facilities regarding the standards of care that should apply during disaster situations. Public health emergencies and catastrophic events -- such as a pandemic or an unforeseen disaster like an earthquake or bioterrorism -- can make conventional standards of care impossible to uphold due to overwhelming numbers of patients and shortages in equipment, medicine, and staff. States must develop consistent policies and protocols for crisis standards of care to prepare for disasters in which thousands -- or hundreds of thousands -- of individuals become gravely ill and suddenly seek medical treatment.
"Health care workers pride themselves on giving optimal treatment to all their patients, and are obliged by law and professional ethics to use a high standard of care," said committee chair Lawrence O. Gostin, associate dean and the Linda and Timothy O'Neill Professor of Global Health Law, Georgetown University. "However, in a public health emergency, dedicated professionals simply will not have the capacity to deliver this same high level of care. The health care system will collapse without a rational plan that includes ethical allocation of limited resources and that is seen by the public as transparent and fair. Perhaps most importantly, states must offer dedicated professionals protection against legal liability when they conscientiously make clinical decisions that are necessary to save lives and preserve the public's health."
According to the committee that wrote the report, crisis standards of care, which involve substantial changes to health care operations and the level of care it is possible to deliver, are put into place out of necessity in response to a disaster situation. Under such circumstances, failing to adopt crisis standards of care -- which include guidance on conserving, substituting, adapting, and doing without resources -- is likely to result in greater death, injury, or illness. Crisis standards-of-care policies and protocols ensure the best health care possible, given the resources at hand.
Some state and local health agencies have made considerable strides in developing crisis standards-of-care policies and protocols, but many have only just begun to address this need. Following the national guidelines recommended by the committee would help ensure states develop protocols within an ethical framework so they are consistent, and would allow coordination and fair allocation of resources during a disaster. Consistency in developing and implementing crisis standards of care is needed between all levels of government and especially between neighboring jurisdictions.
The ethical precepts of medicine still apply during a disaster. Health care professionals must provide the best care they reasonably can to each patient. In conditions of overwhelming resource scarcity, however, clinicians are ethically justified to perform some actions that would not be acceptable under normal circumstances, such as allotting resources to provide treatments preferentially to those patients most likely to benefit. The standards governing health care during a disaster must be seen as fair by both patients and providers, the report says, and health care decisions and implementation must be equitable and transparent. Stakeholders in the community and in the health care professions should be engaged in developing and evaluating local crisis standards of care.
Stronger legal protections are needed for health care providers forced to make difficult decisions during disasters. State health agencies should be legally empowered to institute crisis standards of care in affected areas, and incentives should be in place to support health care providers responding to an emergency, such as legal protections for practitioners and institutions.
This study was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine provides independent, objective, evidence-based advice to policymakers, health professionals, the private sector, and the public. The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council make up the National Academies.
Source
National Academies
"Health care workers pride themselves on giving optimal treatment to all their patients, and are obliged by law and professional ethics to use a high standard of care," said committee chair Lawrence O. Gostin, associate dean and the Linda and Timothy O'Neill Professor of Global Health Law, Georgetown University. "However, in a public health emergency, dedicated professionals simply will not have the capacity to deliver this same high level of care. The health care system will collapse without a rational plan that includes ethical allocation of limited resources and that is seen by the public as transparent and fair. Perhaps most importantly, states must offer dedicated professionals protection against legal liability when they conscientiously make clinical decisions that are necessary to save lives and preserve the public's health."
According to the committee that wrote the report, crisis standards of care, which involve substantial changes to health care operations and the level of care it is possible to deliver, are put into place out of necessity in response to a disaster situation. Under such circumstances, failing to adopt crisis standards of care -- which include guidance on conserving, substituting, adapting, and doing without resources -- is likely to result in greater death, injury, or illness. Crisis standards-of-care policies and protocols ensure the best health care possible, given the resources at hand.
Some state and local health agencies have made considerable strides in developing crisis standards-of-care policies and protocols, but many have only just begun to address this need. Following the national guidelines recommended by the committee would help ensure states develop protocols within an ethical framework so they are consistent, and would allow coordination and fair allocation of resources during a disaster. Consistency in developing and implementing crisis standards of care is needed between all levels of government and especially between neighboring jurisdictions.
The ethical precepts of medicine still apply during a disaster. Health care professionals must provide the best care they reasonably can to each patient. In conditions of overwhelming resource scarcity, however, clinicians are ethically justified to perform some actions that would not be acceptable under normal circumstances, such as allotting resources to provide treatments preferentially to those patients most likely to benefit. The standards governing health care during a disaster must be seen as fair by both patients and providers, the report says, and health care decisions and implementation must be equitable and transparent. Stakeholders in the community and in the health care professions should be engaged in developing and evaluating local crisis standards of care.
Stronger legal protections are needed for health care providers forced to make difficult decisions during disasters. State health agencies should be legally empowered to institute crisis standards of care in affected areas, and incentives should be in place to support health care providers responding to an emergency, such as legal protections for practitioners and institutions.
This study was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine provides independent, objective, evidence-based advice to policymakers, health professionals, the private sector, and the public. The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council make up the National Academies.
Source
National Academies
Henry Schein Disaster Relief Hotline Stands Ready To Support Dental, Medical, And Veterinary Customers
Henry Schein, Inc., the largest provider of healthcare products and services to office-based practitioners in the combined North American and European markets, today reminded customers that its disaster relief hotline stands ready to assist dentists, physicians, veterinarians and healthcare facilities that may experience operational, logistical or financial issues as a result of hurricanes or other natural disasters. The toll-free number for all dental, medical and veterinary customers - 800-999-9729 - is operational and is being staffed from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CDT, and monitored 24 hours a day.
"Henry Schein is ready to help support our dental, medical, and veterinary customers whose practices may be adversely affected by natural disasters," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Henry Schein. "We want to make sure that our customers are aware that as their valued business partner, Henry Schein is here to help. We encourage our customers in areas that may be affected by tropical storms, hurricanes, or other natural disasters this season to call our hotline for assistance."
About Henry Schein
Henry Schein, a Fortune 500® company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index, is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. The Company's four business groups - Dental, Medical, International and Technology - serve more than 550,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices and animal health clinics, as well as government and other institutions. The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 200 countries with a comprehensive selection of more than 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 100,000 additional products available as special-order items.
Henry Schein also offers a wide range of innovative value-added practice solutions for healthcare professionals, such as ArubA®, the Company's electronic catalog and ordering system. Its leading practice-management software solutions have a user base of more than 52,000 practices, including DENTRIX®, Easy Dental®, Oasis® and EXACT® for dental practices, MicroMD® for physician practices, and AVImark® for animal health clinics.
Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs over 12,000 people and has operations or affiliates in 20 countries. The Company's net sales reached a record $5.9 billion in 2007. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at henryschein.
Henry Schein
"Henry Schein is ready to help support our dental, medical, and veterinary customers whose practices may be adversely affected by natural disasters," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Henry Schein. "We want to make sure that our customers are aware that as their valued business partner, Henry Schein is here to help. We encourage our customers in areas that may be affected by tropical storms, hurricanes, or other natural disasters this season to call our hotline for assistance."
About Henry Schein
Henry Schein, a Fortune 500® company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index, is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. The Company's four business groups - Dental, Medical, International and Technology - serve more than 550,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices and animal health clinics, as well as government and other institutions. The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 200 countries with a comprehensive selection of more than 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 100,000 additional products available as special-order items.
Henry Schein also offers a wide range of innovative value-added practice solutions for healthcare professionals, such as ArubA®, the Company's electronic catalog and ordering system. Its leading practice-management software solutions have a user base of more than 52,000 practices, including DENTRIX®, Easy Dental®, Oasis® and EXACT® for dental practices, MicroMD® for physician practices, and AVImark® for animal health clinics.
Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs over 12,000 people and has operations or affiliates in 20 countries. The Company's net sales reached a record $5.9 billion in 2007. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at henryschein.
Henry Schein
Los Angeles Times Examines Effect Of PEPFAR Drug Programs In Africa
The Los Angeles Times on Friday examined the effects of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief's antiretroviral drug distribution in Africa (Sanders, Los Angeles Times, 2/15). PEPFAR initially was authorized to direct $15 billion over five years for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis primarily to 15 focus countries. President Bush in May 2007 called on Congress to increase this initial PEPFAR funding level to $30 billion for five years after the program's original mandate expires in September 2008 (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 1/29).
According to the Times, $18 billion in PEPFAR funds have been used on HIV treatment and prevention in developing countries and has increased the number of people receiving antiretroviral drugs in Africa from 50,000 to 1.4 million. About 57,000 lives have been saved in Kenya through the program. African governments, which oversee distribution of PEPFAR funds and supplies, say the program has been "instrumental" in the fight against HIV/AIDS on the continent, the Times reports. Alloy Orago, director of the National AIDS Control Council in Kenya, said that without PEPFAR, he does not know "what would have happened" with the HIV/AIDS situation, adding that the funding has allowed the Kenyan government to fund other priorities.
Some people have criticized a PEPFAR requirement that a portion of the program's HIV/AIDS prevention funds be spent on abstinence education. However, the drug distribution portion of PEPFAR has been "widely supported" and has "drawn praise" for Bush from "unlikely backers," including the musician Bono, the Times reports. Health experts also said that the success of PEPFAR has "defied critics," who before the program's launch said that Africans would not be able to adhere to treatment regimens or that developing nations were unable to handle the receipt of large amounts of foreign aid, according to the Times.
PEPFAR has helped reduce HIV-associated stigma and discrimination, which has led to an increase in support groups and testing centers, the Times reports. According to Warren Buckingham, head of PEPFAR in Kenya, the program "has proven that increased resources can be used effectively and rapidly" to address HIV/AIDS in Africa. J. Stephen Morrison, co-director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Africa program, said PEPFAR "will rank in the top tier of [Bush's] legacy issues" (Los Angeles Times, 2/15).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation© 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
According to the Times, $18 billion in PEPFAR funds have been used on HIV treatment and prevention in developing countries and has increased the number of people receiving antiretroviral drugs in Africa from 50,000 to 1.4 million. About 57,000 lives have been saved in Kenya through the program. African governments, which oversee distribution of PEPFAR funds and supplies, say the program has been "instrumental" in the fight against HIV/AIDS on the continent, the Times reports. Alloy Orago, director of the National AIDS Control Council in Kenya, said that without PEPFAR, he does not know "what would have happened" with the HIV/AIDS situation, adding that the funding has allowed the Kenyan government to fund other priorities.
Some people have criticized a PEPFAR requirement that a portion of the program's HIV/AIDS prevention funds be spent on abstinence education. However, the drug distribution portion of PEPFAR has been "widely supported" and has "drawn praise" for Bush from "unlikely backers," including the musician Bono, the Times reports. Health experts also said that the success of PEPFAR has "defied critics," who before the program's launch said that Africans would not be able to adhere to treatment regimens or that developing nations were unable to handle the receipt of large amounts of foreign aid, according to the Times.
PEPFAR has helped reduce HIV-associated stigma and discrimination, which has led to an increase in support groups and testing centers, the Times reports. According to Warren Buckingham, head of PEPFAR in Kenya, the program "has proven that increased resources can be used effectively and rapidly" to address HIV/AIDS in Africa. J. Stephen Morrison, co-director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Africa program, said PEPFAR "will rank in the top tier of [Bush's] legacy issues" (Los Angeles Times, 2/15).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation© 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
UNICEF supports campaign to prevent spread of Marburg in Angola
UNICEF is supporting WHO and the Angolan Ministry of Health in its efforts to prevent the spread of an epidemic caused by
the Marburg virus that has killed 111 people, including 92 children under 15 years of age. While the outbreak is mainly
concentrated in the northern province of Uige, 5 cases - 2 resulting in deaths- have already been reported in Angola's
capital, Luanda.
A far reaching communication and social mobilisation campaign aimed at informing the population across the country of the
existing epidemic outbreak and the measures they ought to take to prevent becoming ill, is underway. "A UNICEF team of
experts in social mobilisation is currently fully dedicated to supporting our colleagues from the Ministry of Health and WHO.
A timely and relevant communication strategy is absolutely crucial to prevent the virus from spreading," said Mario Ferrari,
UNICEF Representative in Angola.
Elements of the campaign are already up and running in the province of Uige with radio programs constantly broadcasting
messages specifically designed to reach the population at risk. In addition, some 600 activists have been trained and given
much needed materials to conduct house to house visits and ensure the word on the epidemic reaches the more isolated areas.
Meanwhile, the Scouts of Angola have agreed to mobilise some 5,000 scouts throughout the country to support the dissemination
of life-saving information. "Only in Luanda we are expecting to immediately train 750 scouts. By next week-end they should be
equipped to distribute information to people and drivers on the street and advice them on how to prevent the hemorrhagic
fever and what to do if they come across a suspected case," says Celso Malavoloneke, UNICEF Assistant to Programme
Communication Officer.
Additional posters, stickers, brochures; radio and TV spots are under preparation to complete the communication efforts and
expand them throughout the country.
A UNICEF emergency convoy containing 42 kits of essential drugs and gloves for the health workers arrived in Uige during the
Easter week-end to ensure dispensaries are stocked up to treat the related symptoms and other common illnesses. Thanks to the
rapid response of UNICEF's Copenhagen-based supplies team, badly needed disinfectants, intravenous liquids, masks, protection
glasses, clothes and boots for health workers are on its way to Angola for prompt distribution to Uige and other provinces.
As Guy Clarysse, Head of Health Section in Angola explains "the epidemic is unfolding and we don't know yet the full effect
it can have. The response needs to be firm, rapid and multilayered. While we make sure the ill are cared for, we need to
protect the health personnel. Their commitment is crucial to maintain the faith of the population and ensure they seek help
in the hospital and health centres in Uige."
Key organisations such as CDC, USAID, MSF Spain, Holland, Belgium and France are also part of the National Technical
Commission set up to implement the emergency response to the Malburg epidemic. "It is particularly encouraging to note that
such an amount of dedicated professionals have been mobilised and are working together to contain what could become a tragic
humanitarian crisis, said Guy.
The Marburg virus is a rare cause of viral haemorrhagic fever syndrome that belongs to the same family as Ebola. The main
symptoms observed are fever and haemorrhage as well as cough, diarrhoea and vomiting. The Angolan Ministry of Health has
formally declared an epidemic in the Province of Uige and is closely monitoring the few cases already reported in Luanda.
For further information please contact:
Macarena Aguilar, Communications Officer - 912 219 524, maaguilarunicef
Jos? Lu?s Mendon?a Informations Officer - 912 233 468, jlmendoncaunicef
unicef/media/media_25766.html
the Marburg virus that has killed 111 people, including 92 children under 15 years of age. While the outbreak is mainly
concentrated in the northern province of Uige, 5 cases - 2 resulting in deaths- have already been reported in Angola's
capital, Luanda.
A far reaching communication and social mobilisation campaign aimed at informing the population across the country of the
existing epidemic outbreak and the measures they ought to take to prevent becoming ill, is underway. "A UNICEF team of
experts in social mobilisation is currently fully dedicated to supporting our colleagues from the Ministry of Health and WHO.
A timely and relevant communication strategy is absolutely crucial to prevent the virus from spreading," said Mario Ferrari,
UNICEF Representative in Angola.
Elements of the campaign are already up and running in the province of Uige with radio programs constantly broadcasting
messages specifically designed to reach the population at risk. In addition, some 600 activists have been trained and given
much needed materials to conduct house to house visits and ensure the word on the epidemic reaches the more isolated areas.
Meanwhile, the Scouts of Angola have agreed to mobilise some 5,000 scouts throughout the country to support the dissemination
of life-saving information. "Only in Luanda we are expecting to immediately train 750 scouts. By next week-end they should be
equipped to distribute information to people and drivers on the street and advice them on how to prevent the hemorrhagic
fever and what to do if they come across a suspected case," says Celso Malavoloneke, UNICEF Assistant to Programme
Communication Officer.
Additional posters, stickers, brochures; radio and TV spots are under preparation to complete the communication efforts and
expand them throughout the country.
A UNICEF emergency convoy containing 42 kits of essential drugs and gloves for the health workers arrived in Uige during the
Easter week-end to ensure dispensaries are stocked up to treat the related symptoms and other common illnesses. Thanks to the
rapid response of UNICEF's Copenhagen-based supplies team, badly needed disinfectants, intravenous liquids, masks, protection
glasses, clothes and boots for health workers are on its way to Angola for prompt distribution to Uige and other provinces.
As Guy Clarysse, Head of Health Section in Angola explains "the epidemic is unfolding and we don't know yet the full effect
it can have. The response needs to be firm, rapid and multilayered. While we make sure the ill are cared for, we need to
protect the health personnel. Their commitment is crucial to maintain the faith of the population and ensure they seek help
in the hospital and health centres in Uige."
Key organisations such as CDC, USAID, MSF Spain, Holland, Belgium and France are also part of the National Technical
Commission set up to implement the emergency response to the Malburg epidemic. "It is particularly encouraging to note that
such an amount of dedicated professionals have been mobilised and are working together to contain what could become a tragic
humanitarian crisis, said Guy.
The Marburg virus is a rare cause of viral haemorrhagic fever syndrome that belongs to the same family as Ebola. The main
symptoms observed are fever and haemorrhage as well as cough, diarrhoea and vomiting. The Angolan Ministry of Health has
formally declared an epidemic in the Province of Uige and is closely monitoring the few cases already reported in Luanda.
For further information please contact:
Macarena Aguilar, Communications Officer - 912 219 524, maaguilarunicef
Jos? Lu?s Mendon?a Informations Officer - 912 233 468, jlmendoncaunicef
unicef/media/media_25766.html
Global Business Coalition President Encourages Businesses To Increase Efforts To Fight HIV/AIDS, Other Diseases
Richard Holbrooke -- president of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations -- on Tuesday called on companies to increase their involvement in the global fight against HIV and other infectious diseases, the Financial Times reports. Holbrooke also called on governments to recognize the skills the private sector could bring to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Holbrooke was speaking ahead of the coalition's annual awards ceremony, which was held on Wednesday (Jack, Financial Times, 6/13). Eight member companies were presented with awards (GBC release, 6/13). The awards for the first time included businesses working on projects to fight HIV, TB and malaria, the Times reports. At the ceremony, Standard Chartered was recognized for working with the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria's local country coordinating mechanism in Gambia to provide business management skills and for training staff and customers on HIV awareness. Standard Chartered also was recognized for promoting HIV testing messages on automatic teller machines in China and Thailand. HBO was recognized for airing documentaries, films and public service announcements that addressed issues associated with HIV/AIDS, the Times reports.
In addition, Marathon Oil received an award for its five-year, $13 million malaria control program on Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea. The program, which funds insecticide spraying and drug treatment, was launched in 2003 in collaboration with public health experts and officials. Systematic monitoring has found a 95% reduction in mosquitoes and a 44% reduction in malaria cases among children since the program was launched, according to the Times. Marathon also has provided $1 million in seed money and helped the government with a $26 million grant application to the Global Fund to launch the program nationwide (Financial Times, 6/13). Other award recipients included Chevron, Coca-Cola China Beverages, Abbott and Abbott Fund, Eskom Holdings and Eli Lilly. GBC also presented an award to former President Bill Clinton for his leadership on HIV/AIDS and other global health issues (GBC release, 6/13).
Holbrooke was speaking ahead of the coalition's annual awards ceremony, which was held on Wednesday (Jack, Financial Times, 6/13). Eight member companies were presented with awards (GBC release, 6/13). The awards for the first time included businesses working on projects to fight HIV, TB and malaria, the Times reports. At the ceremony, Standard Chartered was recognized for working with the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria's local country coordinating mechanism in Gambia to provide business management skills and for training staff and customers on HIV awareness. Standard Chartered also was recognized for promoting HIV testing messages on automatic teller machines in China and Thailand. HBO was recognized for airing documentaries, films and public service announcements that addressed issues associated with HIV/AIDS, the Times reports.
In addition, Marathon Oil received an award for its five-year, $13 million malaria control program on Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea. The program, which funds insecticide spraying and drug treatment, was launched in 2003 in collaboration with public health experts and officials. Systematic monitoring has found a 95% reduction in mosquitoes and a 44% reduction in malaria cases among children since the program was launched, according to the Times. Marathon also has provided $1 million in seed money and helped the government with a $26 million grant application to the Global Fund to launch the program nationwide (Financial Times, 6/13). Other award recipients included Chevron, Coca-Cola China Beverages, Abbott and Abbott Fund, Eskom Holdings and Eli Lilly. GBC also presented an award to former President Bill Clinton for his leadership on HIV/AIDS and other global health issues (GBC release, 6/13).
HIV/AIDS PSA Campaign To Premiere in U.S. Ahead of National HIV Testing Day
In related news, the NBA, HBO, GBC, and Kaiser Family Foundation on Wednesday announced an HIV/AIDS public service announcement campaign they developed that aims to raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing. The PSAs are scheduled to air in the U.S. during game five of the National Basketball Association's 2007 finals on ABC ahead of National HIV Testing Day, which is scheduled for June 27.
The campaign has enlisted actors Jamie Foxx and Queen Latifah to raise awareness about HIV testing by directing viewers to testing411 -- a Web site that includes information about HIV and testing options. The Web site also provides information from CDC about local HIV testing centers organized by zip code.
The PSAs also will be shown in arenas during NBA games in the 2007-2008 regular season. MTV and BET have committed to air the PSAs in the U.S. as part of their public education partnerships -- thinkHIV and Rap-It-Up. The Global Media AIDS Initiative will distribute the PSAs to more than 100 of its members in 60 countries, and the African Broadcast Media Partnership Against HIV/AIDS and the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS have committed to distribute the PSAs to their member companies. The PSAs were featured at GBC's annual awards ceremony and grew out of a commitment made at the 2006 annual Clinton Global Initiative meeting, which was held in New York City last fall.
"Having Jamie Foxx, Queen Latifah and NBA players talking about HIV testing helps to present testing as a more routine part of care, as recommended by the CDC," Drew Altman, president and CEO of the Kaiser Family Foundation, said, adding, "HIV testing provides an opportunity to receive counseling about risks, and early knowledge of HIV status helps link people to care."
NBA Senior Vice President Kathy Behrens said, "Through relationships with organizations like the GBC, the NBA, our teams and players are to build on our commitment to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, here at home and around the world." Richard Plepler, co-president of HBO, said, "HBO has a long history of using our network in the service of illuminating and elevating the issue of AIDS into our culture." Holbrooke said, "HIV is on the rise in the U.S. as it is around the world," adding, "Knowing your status is essential to bringing infection rates down and increasing access to lifesaving medications" (NBA/HBO/GBC/Kaiser Family Foundation joint release, 6/13).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
UNICEF Relief Efforts Continue In Bihar, India, As Estimates Of Flood Affected Rise To Over 3 Million
With the number of people affected by the flooding in the Bihar state of India now estimated at three million, UNICEF continues its relief operation in what it describes as a "grim humanitarian situation". Tens of thousands of people, including many children, may still be stranded in remote areas, says the children's agency. These populations are in most urgent need of relief supplies such as clean water, food, medicines and shelter. Many are staying in the open on highlands along the river tributaries or road sides.
According to UNICEF staff on the ground, the relief and rehabilitation operation in Bihar could be needed for several months. Many families have moved more than once to escape the rising waters and are living in increasingly desperate conditions. The agency is especially concerned about the well-being of children affected by the floods and is working with the government of India to reach all those in need of rescue and relief.
The displacement of people has been massive as people continue to flee or are evacuated from marooned areas. Many have settled in relief camps, but some of these have also been flooded.
The UNICEF response concentrates on delivering life-saving supplies such as clean water, medicines and shelter equipment. Much of these supplies were pre-positioned before the floods struck Bihar. In addition, UNICEF priorities are in the areas of nutrition, immunization, education, water and sanitation, and education.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
UNICEF
According to UNICEF staff on the ground, the relief and rehabilitation operation in Bihar could be needed for several months. Many families have moved more than once to escape the rising waters and are living in increasingly desperate conditions. The agency is especially concerned about the well-being of children affected by the floods and is working with the government of India to reach all those in need of rescue and relief.
The displacement of people has been massive as people continue to flee or are evacuated from marooned areas. Many have settled in relief camps, but some of these have also been flooded.
The UNICEF response concentrates on delivering life-saving supplies such as clean water, medicines and shelter equipment. Much of these supplies were pre-positioned before the floods struck Bihar. In addition, UNICEF priorities are in the areas of nutrition, immunization, education, water and sanitation, and education.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
UNICEF
Transportation Infrastructure And Operations Will Be Severely Impacted By Climate Change
While every mode of transportation in the U.S. will be affected as the climate changes, potentially the greatest impact on transportation systems will be flooding of roads, railways, transit systems, and airport runways in coastal areas because of rising sea levels and surges brought on by more intense storms, says a new report from the National Research Council. Though the impacts of climate change will vary by region, it is certain they will be widespread and costly in human and economic terms, and will require significant changes in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of transportation systems.
The U.S. transportation system was designed and built for local weather and climate conditions, predicated on historical temperature and precipitation data. The report finds that climate predictions used by transportation planners and engineers may no longer be reliable, however, in the face of new weather and climate extremes. Infrastructure pushed beyond the range for which it was designed can become stressed and fail, as seen with loss of the U.S. 90 Bridge in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
"The time has come for transportation professionals to acknowledge and confront the challenges posed by climate change, and to incorporate the most current scientific knowledge into the planning of transportation systems," said Henry Schwartz Jr., past president and chairman of Svedrup/Jacobs Civil Inc., and chair of the committee that wrote the report. "It is now possible to project climate changes for large subcontinental regions, such as the Eastern United States, a scale better suited for considering regional and local transportation infrastructure."
The committee identified five climate changes of particular importance to U.S. transportation; 1) increases in very hot days and heat waves; 2) increases in Arctic temperatures; 3) rising sea levels; 4) increases in intense precipitation events; and 5) increases in hurricane intensity.
In addition to climate changes, there are a number of contributing factors that will likely lead to vulnerabilities in coastal-area transportation systems. Population is projected to grow in coastal areas, which will boost demand for transportation infrastructure and increase the number of people and businesses potentially in harm's way; erosion and loss of wetlands have removed crucial buffer zones that once protected infrastructure; and an estimated 60,000 miles of coastal highways are already exposed to periodic storm flooding.
"Rising temperatures may trigger weather extremes and surprises, such as more rapid melting of the Arctic sea ice than projected," Schwartz said. "The highways that currently serve as evacuation routes and endure periodic flooding could be compromised with strong hurricanes and more intense precipitation, making some of these routes impassable." Transportation providers will need to focus on evacuation planning and work more closely with weather forecasters and emergency planners.
Infrastructure vulnerabilities will extend beyond coastal areas as the climate continues to change. In the Midwest, for instance, increased intense precipitation could augment the severity of flooding, as occurred in 1993 when farmland, towns, and transportation routes were severely damaged from flooding along 500 miles of the Mississippi and Missouri river systems. On the other hand, drier conditions are likely to prevail in the watersheds supplying the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes as well as the Upper Midwest river system. Lower water levels would reduce vessel shipping capacity, seriously impairing freight movements in the region, such as occurred during the drought of 1988, which stranded barge traffic on the Mississippi River. And in California, heat waves may increase wildfires that can destroy transportation infrastructure.
Not all climate changes will be negative, however. Marine transportation could benefit from more open seas in the Arctic, creating new and shorter shipping routes and reducing transport time and costs. In cold regions, rising temperatures could reduce the costs of snow and ice control and would make travel conditions safer for passenger vehicles and freight.
Preparing for projected climate changes will be costly. Transportation decision makers continually make short- and long-term investment decisions that affect how the infrastructure will respond to climate change. Response measures range from rehabilitating and retrofitting infrastructure to making major additions to constructing entirely new infrastructure. The committee noted the need for "a more strategic, risk-based approach to investment decisions that trades off the costs of making the infrastructure more robust against the economic costs of failure." In the future, climate changes in some areas may necessitate permanent alterations. For example, roads, rail lines, and airport runways in low-lying coastal areas may become casualties of sea-level rise, requiring relocations or expensive protective measures, such as sea walls and levees.
The report calls for the federal government to have a strong role in implementing many of its recommendations that require broad-based action or regulation, such as the creation of a clearinghouse for information on transportation and climate change; the establishment of a research program to re-evaluate existing design standards and develop new standards for addressing climate change; creation of an interagency working group on adaptation; changes in federal regulations regarding long-range planning guidelines and infrastructure rehabilitation requirements; and re-evaluation of the National Flood Insurance Program and updating flood insurance rate maps with climate change in mind.
Many of the committee's recommendations need not wait for federal action. Local governments and private infrastructure providers can begin to identify critical infrastructure that is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Professional organizations can single out examples of best practices, and transportation planners and climate scientists can begin collaboration on the development of regional scenarios for likely climate-related changes and the data needed to analyze their impacts. Focusing on the challenges now could help avoid costly transportation investments and disruptions to operations in the future.
This report is a collaborative effort between the Transportation Research Board and the Division on Earth and Life Studies of the National Research Council. The sponsors of this report are the Transportation Research Board, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, U.S. Department of Transportation, Transit Cooperative Research Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A committee roster and two charts follow.
Copies of POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON U.S. TRANSPORTATION are available from the Transportation Research Board on the Internet at ref="trb/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TRB
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
Transportation Research Board and Division on Earth and Life Studies
COMMITTEE ON POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND U.S. TRANSPORTATION
HENRY G. SCHWARTZ JR. 1 (CHAIR)
Chairman
Svedrup/Jacobs Civil Inc. (retired)
St. Louis
ALAN C. CLARK
Director
Metropolitan Planning Organization
Houston-Galveston Area Council
Houston
G. EDWARD DICKEY
Affiliate Professor of Economics
Loyola College in Maryland
Baltimore
GEORGE C. EADS
Vice President
CRA International Inc.
Washington, D.C.
ROBERT E. GALLAMORE
Consultant
The Gallamore Group
Rehoboth Beach, Del.
GENEVIEVE GIULIANO
Senior Associate Dean of Research and Technology
School of Policy, Planning, and Development
University of Southern California
Los Angeles
WILLIAM J. GUTOWSKI JR.
Professor of Meteorology
Iowa State University
Ames
RANDELL H. IWASAKI
Chief Deputy Director
California Department of Transportation
Sacramento
KLAUS H. JACOB
Special Research Scientist
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University
Palisades, N.Y.
THOMAS R. KARL
Director
National Climatic Data Center
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Asheville, N.C.
ROBERT J. LEMPERT
Senior Scientist
The RAND Corp.
Santa Monica, Calif.
LUISA M. PAIEWONSKY
Commissioner
Massachusetts Highway Department
Boston
S. GEORGE H. PHILANDER 2 (through 12/06)
Professor of Geosciences
Princeton University
Princeton, N.J.
CHRISTOPHER R. ZEPPIE
Director
Office of Environmental Policy, Programs, and Compliance
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
New York City
RESEARCH COUNCIL STAFF
NANCY P. HUMPHREY
Senior Staff Officer and Study Director
Transportation Research Board
AMANDA C. STAUDT (through 2/07)
Senior Program Officer
Division on Earth and Life Studies
1 Member, National Academy of Engineering
2 Member, National Academy of Sciences
Source: Maureen O'Leary
The National Academies
The U.S. transportation system was designed and built for local weather and climate conditions, predicated on historical temperature and precipitation data. The report finds that climate predictions used by transportation planners and engineers may no longer be reliable, however, in the face of new weather and climate extremes. Infrastructure pushed beyond the range for which it was designed can become stressed and fail, as seen with loss of the U.S. 90 Bridge in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
"The time has come for transportation professionals to acknowledge and confront the challenges posed by climate change, and to incorporate the most current scientific knowledge into the planning of transportation systems," said Henry Schwartz Jr., past president and chairman of Svedrup/Jacobs Civil Inc., and chair of the committee that wrote the report. "It is now possible to project climate changes for large subcontinental regions, such as the Eastern United States, a scale better suited for considering regional and local transportation infrastructure."
The committee identified five climate changes of particular importance to U.S. transportation; 1) increases in very hot days and heat waves; 2) increases in Arctic temperatures; 3) rising sea levels; 4) increases in intense precipitation events; and 5) increases in hurricane intensity.
In addition to climate changes, there are a number of contributing factors that will likely lead to vulnerabilities in coastal-area transportation systems. Population is projected to grow in coastal areas, which will boost demand for transportation infrastructure and increase the number of people and businesses potentially in harm's way; erosion and loss of wetlands have removed crucial buffer zones that once protected infrastructure; and an estimated 60,000 miles of coastal highways are already exposed to periodic storm flooding.
"Rising temperatures may trigger weather extremes and surprises, such as more rapid melting of the Arctic sea ice than projected," Schwartz said. "The highways that currently serve as evacuation routes and endure periodic flooding could be compromised with strong hurricanes and more intense precipitation, making some of these routes impassable." Transportation providers will need to focus on evacuation planning and work more closely with weather forecasters and emergency planners.
Infrastructure vulnerabilities will extend beyond coastal areas as the climate continues to change. In the Midwest, for instance, increased intense precipitation could augment the severity of flooding, as occurred in 1993 when farmland, towns, and transportation routes were severely damaged from flooding along 500 miles of the Mississippi and Missouri river systems. On the other hand, drier conditions are likely to prevail in the watersheds supplying the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes as well as the Upper Midwest river system. Lower water levels would reduce vessel shipping capacity, seriously impairing freight movements in the region, such as occurred during the drought of 1988, which stranded barge traffic on the Mississippi River. And in California, heat waves may increase wildfires that can destroy transportation infrastructure.
Not all climate changes will be negative, however. Marine transportation could benefit from more open seas in the Arctic, creating new and shorter shipping routes and reducing transport time and costs. In cold regions, rising temperatures could reduce the costs of snow and ice control and would make travel conditions safer for passenger vehicles and freight.
Preparing for projected climate changes will be costly. Transportation decision makers continually make short- and long-term investment decisions that affect how the infrastructure will respond to climate change. Response measures range from rehabilitating and retrofitting infrastructure to making major additions to constructing entirely new infrastructure. The committee noted the need for "a more strategic, risk-based approach to investment decisions that trades off the costs of making the infrastructure more robust against the economic costs of failure." In the future, climate changes in some areas may necessitate permanent alterations. For example, roads, rail lines, and airport runways in low-lying coastal areas may become casualties of sea-level rise, requiring relocations or expensive protective measures, such as sea walls and levees.
The report calls for the federal government to have a strong role in implementing many of its recommendations that require broad-based action or regulation, such as the creation of a clearinghouse for information on transportation and climate change; the establishment of a research program to re-evaluate existing design standards and develop new standards for addressing climate change; creation of an interagency working group on adaptation; changes in federal regulations regarding long-range planning guidelines and infrastructure rehabilitation requirements; and re-evaluation of the National Flood Insurance Program and updating flood insurance rate maps with climate change in mind.
Many of the committee's recommendations need not wait for federal action. Local governments and private infrastructure providers can begin to identify critical infrastructure that is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Professional organizations can single out examples of best practices, and transportation planners and climate scientists can begin collaboration on the development of regional scenarios for likely climate-related changes and the data needed to analyze their impacts. Focusing on the challenges now could help avoid costly transportation investments and disruptions to operations in the future.
This report is a collaborative effort between the Transportation Research Board and the Division on Earth and Life Studies of the National Research Council. The sponsors of this report are the Transportation Research Board, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, U.S. Department of Transportation, Transit Cooperative Research Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A committee roster and two charts follow.
Copies of POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON U.S. TRANSPORTATION are available from the Transportation Research Board on the Internet at ref="trb/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TRB
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
Transportation Research Board and Division on Earth and Life Studies
COMMITTEE ON POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND U.S. TRANSPORTATION
HENRY G. SCHWARTZ JR. 1 (CHAIR)
Chairman
Svedrup/Jacobs Civil Inc. (retired)
St. Louis
ALAN C. CLARK
Director
Metropolitan Planning Organization
Houston-Galveston Area Council
Houston
G. EDWARD DICKEY
Affiliate Professor of Economics
Loyola College in Maryland
Baltimore
GEORGE C. EADS
Vice President
CRA International Inc.
Washington, D.C.
ROBERT E. GALLAMORE
Consultant
The Gallamore Group
Rehoboth Beach, Del.
GENEVIEVE GIULIANO
Senior Associate Dean of Research and Technology
School of Policy, Planning, and Development
University of Southern California
Los Angeles
WILLIAM J. GUTOWSKI JR.
Professor of Meteorology
Iowa State University
Ames
RANDELL H. IWASAKI
Chief Deputy Director
California Department of Transportation
Sacramento
KLAUS H. JACOB
Special Research Scientist
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University
Palisades, N.Y.
THOMAS R. KARL
Director
National Climatic Data Center
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Asheville, N.C.
ROBERT J. LEMPERT
Senior Scientist
The RAND Corp.
Santa Monica, Calif.
LUISA M. PAIEWONSKY
Commissioner
Massachusetts Highway Department
Boston
S. GEORGE H. PHILANDER 2 (through 12/06)
Professor of Geosciences
Princeton University
Princeton, N.J.
CHRISTOPHER R. ZEPPIE
Director
Office of Environmental Policy, Programs, and Compliance
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
New York City
RESEARCH COUNCIL STAFF
NANCY P. HUMPHREY
Senior Staff Officer and Study Director
Transportation Research Board
AMANDA C. STAUDT (through 2/07)
Senior Program Officer
Division on Earth and Life Studies
1 Member, National Academy of Engineering
2 Member, National Academy of Sciences
Source: Maureen O'Leary
The National Academies
American Red Cross Responds Internationally And At Home To Chile Quake
The American Red Cross is responding to the strong 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile, making $50,000 available for relief operations in Chile while also helping people in Hawaii prepare for a possible tsunami.
The Red Cross regional disaster management center in Panama is in contact with Red Cross staff and volunteers on the ground to monitor the situation and further assess needs. Regional Red Cross disaster experts from Latin America are also en route to Chile to support the response.
Meanwhile, the American Red Cross is coordinating with the state of Hawaii and the federal government to ensure an appropriate response to the impending tsunami that is expected to strike Hawaii later in the day Saturday. The local Red Cross chapter is readying volunteers and supplies in Hawaii to support any response that may be needed.
"Our hearts go out to the people of Chile as they struggle to deal with the immediate aftermath of this earthquake and the many aftershocks that are continuing," says David Meltzer, Senior Vice President of International Services at the American Red Cross. "Thanks to the generosity of the American people who previously donated to our International Relief Fund, we've been able to release an initial pledge of $50,000 to help the Chilean people in their hour of need and we stand ready to provide additional assistance."
Chilean Red Cross disaster teams have been activated and are working in close coordination with the Chilean government and their National Emergency Office. The Chilean Red Cross is a member of the Chilean government's emergency response group, which is leading the emergency operations and has a great deal of experience and systems in place to manage response to major disasters. Although there is a blackout in Santiago, the Chilean Red Cross headquarters is able to operate through use of a generator.
At the same time, the American Red Cross is continuing to support the relief operations in Haiti, where 1.3 million people have been helped since the January 12th earthquake in that country.
"As the largest humanitarian network in the world, the Red Cross has both the experience and the capacity to respond to multiple disasters at the same time," Meltzer said. "Today, we are supporting the Chilean Red Cross in their response to the earthquake while chapters in Hawaii are preparing for the possible tsunami, and relief operations continue in Haiti."
Disasters frequently separate loved ones, and there are ways that people can help reconnect with their families and friends.
For inquiries about relatives living and who have citizenship in Chile, we urge you to contact them by telephone, monitor their social networking profiles or contact other family members who live nearby. Telephone, Internet and other communication lines are often disrupted in times of disaster. People trying to locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Chile should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225.
The Red Cross encourages people in Hawaii, Guam or American Samoa to make contact with their families as they evacuate. An easy way to notify loved ones is to register on the Safe and Well feature of redcross or by calling 866-438-4636.
You can help the victims of countless crises, like the earthquakes in Chile and Haiti, around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation by either contacting 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish), or mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross.
Source
American Red Cross
The Red Cross regional disaster management center in Panama is in contact with Red Cross staff and volunteers on the ground to monitor the situation and further assess needs. Regional Red Cross disaster experts from Latin America are also en route to Chile to support the response.
Meanwhile, the American Red Cross is coordinating with the state of Hawaii and the federal government to ensure an appropriate response to the impending tsunami that is expected to strike Hawaii later in the day Saturday. The local Red Cross chapter is readying volunteers and supplies in Hawaii to support any response that may be needed.
"Our hearts go out to the people of Chile as they struggle to deal with the immediate aftermath of this earthquake and the many aftershocks that are continuing," says David Meltzer, Senior Vice President of International Services at the American Red Cross. "Thanks to the generosity of the American people who previously donated to our International Relief Fund, we've been able to release an initial pledge of $50,000 to help the Chilean people in their hour of need and we stand ready to provide additional assistance."
Chilean Red Cross disaster teams have been activated and are working in close coordination with the Chilean government and their National Emergency Office. The Chilean Red Cross is a member of the Chilean government's emergency response group, which is leading the emergency operations and has a great deal of experience and systems in place to manage response to major disasters. Although there is a blackout in Santiago, the Chilean Red Cross headquarters is able to operate through use of a generator.
At the same time, the American Red Cross is continuing to support the relief operations in Haiti, where 1.3 million people have been helped since the January 12th earthquake in that country.
"As the largest humanitarian network in the world, the Red Cross has both the experience and the capacity to respond to multiple disasters at the same time," Meltzer said. "Today, we are supporting the Chilean Red Cross in their response to the earthquake while chapters in Hawaii are preparing for the possible tsunami, and relief operations continue in Haiti."
Disasters frequently separate loved ones, and there are ways that people can help reconnect with their families and friends.
For inquiries about relatives living and who have citizenship in Chile, we urge you to contact them by telephone, monitor their social networking profiles or contact other family members who live nearby. Telephone, Internet and other communication lines are often disrupted in times of disaster. People trying to locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Chile should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225.
The Red Cross encourages people in Hawaii, Guam or American Samoa to make contact with their families as they evacuate. An easy way to notify loved ones is to register on the Safe and Well feature of redcross or by calling 866-438-4636.
You can help the victims of countless crises, like the earthquakes in Chile and Haiti, around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation by either contacting 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish), or mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross.
Source
American Red Cross
American Red Cross Provides Safety Tips For Rip Tides Caused By Hurricane Bill
The American Red Cross has advice and safety tips for anyone planning a trip to the beach along the U.S. East Coast this weekend as experts predict Hurricane Bill may cause dangerous waves and rip tides along the shore.
Hurricane Bill is currently a Category Three storm with winds blowing up to 125 mph, and experts say the storm could strengthen over the open Atlantic. The first hurricane of 2009 is expected to travel very close to Bermuda and make landfall in Canada. Forecasters are predicting dangerous waves and rip tides all along the coast over the next several days.
Red Cross says beachgoers should be aware of how dangerous rip currents are, and swim only at beaches with lifeguards in the designated swimming area. Rip currents can form in any large open water area such as low spots and breaks in sandbars, or near structures such as jetties and piers. A band of water a few feet wide may rush back through a gap in a sandbar made by breaking waves.
If caught in a rip current, stay calm and don't fight the current.
-- Swim parallel to shore until free of the current
-- Once free, turn and swim toward shore
-- If the swimmer feels they won't make it in to the shore, they should draw attention to themselves by waving and calling for help
When at the beach, check conditions before entering the water. Check to see if any warning flags are up or ask a lifeguard about water conditions, beach conditions, or any potential hazards.
The Red Cross offers swimming and water safety courses for people of all ages and abilities. Each year, more than 2 million people participate in Red Cross swimming and water safety programs. Visit RedCross for additional water safety tips and for information on our swimming programs. Contact your local chapter to find out which aquatic facilities offer Red Cross swimming courses.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization -- not a government agency -- and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.
Source: American Red Cross
Hurricane Bill is currently a Category Three storm with winds blowing up to 125 mph, and experts say the storm could strengthen over the open Atlantic. The first hurricane of 2009 is expected to travel very close to Bermuda and make landfall in Canada. Forecasters are predicting dangerous waves and rip tides all along the coast over the next several days.
Red Cross says beachgoers should be aware of how dangerous rip currents are, and swim only at beaches with lifeguards in the designated swimming area. Rip currents can form in any large open water area such as low spots and breaks in sandbars, or near structures such as jetties and piers. A band of water a few feet wide may rush back through a gap in a sandbar made by breaking waves.
If caught in a rip current, stay calm and don't fight the current.
-- Swim parallel to shore until free of the current
-- Once free, turn and swim toward shore
-- If the swimmer feels they won't make it in to the shore, they should draw attention to themselves by waving and calling for help
When at the beach, check conditions before entering the water. Check to see if any warning flags are up or ask a lifeguard about water conditions, beach conditions, or any potential hazards.
The Red Cross offers swimming and water safety courses for people of all ages and abilities. Each year, more than 2 million people participate in Red Cross swimming and water safety programs. Visit RedCross for additional water safety tips and for information on our swimming programs. Contact your local chapter to find out which aquatic facilities offer Red Cross swimming courses.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization -- not a government agency -- and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.
Source: American Red Cross
Development Leaders Point To Significant Progress In Mother And Child Health And Reduction Of Malaria And HIV/AIDS Deaths In Poorest Nations
Significant progress towards reducing child and maternal mortality is being made but to meet the Millennium Development Goals 4,5,6, strategies aimed at reaching the world's most inaccessible, marginalized and vulnerable populations will be required, health leaders said today.
Ethiopia's Minister of Health and the heads of four leading global health organisations, the GAVI Alliance, UNAIDS, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and UNICEF said that immunisation coverage, large-scale campaigns to prevent malaria and access to AIDS and malaria treatments have improved in developing countries thanks to more resources, new partnerships and technologies, stable, long-term donor support and improved coordination among health actors.
Ethiopia's Minister Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his country's strong commitment to achieving the MDGs and stated that "Ethiopia is on track to meet MDG 4" but must rely on strong donor support for its national health plan to continue its progress.
Increasing immunisation rates are recognised as essential to achieving MDG 4, a two-thirds reduction in childhood mortality by 2015, the experts said. Polio teeters on the edge of eradication; measles, a major killer of children in the poorest countries, has been dramatically reduced; malaria deaths have been cut by half in parts of Africa due to a concerted effort and expanded access and use of insecticide-treated bed nets; and the deadly Hib disease, a leading cause of meningitis, has been virtually eliminated in some parts of Africa. Last year, nearly one million more people were receiving antiretroviral therapy than in 2006, and today some three million people living with HIV are now on treatment globally - two million in sub-Saharan Africa.
Over the past eight years, global investments to fight malaria have increased ten-fold and AIDS investment eight-fold. The Global Fund alone has financed programmes worth US$11.4 billion since its creation in 2002. This unprecedented increase in resources is already showing encouraging results in reducing mortality and morbidity.
GAVI, a public-private alliance of major global health players has achieved success in delivering essential childhood vaccines in the developing world. Since its creation in 2000, GAVI's support has prevented 2.9 million future deaths and protected 36.8 million additional children with basic vaccines. Immunisation rates have increased to more than 70% in many countries.
"Many more people are living longer and healthier lives today thanks to increased access to HIV treatment. This could not have happened without substantial financial investments and improved health systems," said Dr Peter Piot, Executive Director, UNAIDS. "The challenge now is to sustain these gains and to ensure more equitable access for people who have been marginalized."
"Recent statistics show that under-five mortality continued to decline in 2007," said Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director UNICEF. "Continued success in measles and tetanus immunization rates, distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITN), and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV should maintain this positive trend."
Even with these improvements, the experts agreed that to reach the MDGs and achieve equitable distribution of public health across social, gender, ethnic and geographic levels will be more complex and costly.
"However successful we have been so far, we still face major challenges in ensuring vaccines reach the most vulnerable children. It's getting harder; the distances are getting greater and, in the areas we need to reach, the health systems are weakest. We must determine the best strategies with which to reach those girls and boys who are still missing out on immunisation," said the GAVI Alliance's Executive Secretary, Dr. Julian Lob-Levyt.
"The progress in fighting malaria alone can reduce child mortality enough to reach the MDG 4 target," Dr. Michel Kazatchkine, the Executive Director of the Global Fund said. "However, the great progress we have seen recently must be consolidated into lasting, sustainable progress in mother and child healthcare."
Pointing to the lessons learned through the AIDS response, Dr. Piot said: "Involving civil society and ensuring a rights-based approach can help strengthen health systems and deliver results to the people."
The experts also argued that development should be led by national priorities and a country's long-term plans.
"Altering business-as-usual and embracing a country-driven approach should be a core principle for development agencies, donor organisations and civil society organisations worldwide," said Lob-Levyt.
The GAVI Alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) is a public-private partnership of major stakeholders in immunisation. It includes developing country and donor governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry in both industrialised and developing countries, research and technical agencies, civil society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other philanthropists.
UNAIDS is an innovative joint venture of the United Nations, bringing together the efforts and resources of the UNAIDS Secretariat and ten UN system organizations in the AIDS response. The Secretariat headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland-with staff on the ground in more than 80 countries. Coherent action on AIDS by the UN system is coordinated in countries through UN theme groups, and joint programmes on AIDS. UNAIDS' Cosponsors include UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank. Visit the UNAIDS Web site at unaids
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria is a unique global public/private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities represents a new approach to international health financing. The Global Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organizations to supplement existing efforts dealing with the three diseases.
To date, the Global Fund has committed US$ 11.4 billion to more than 550 programs in 136 countries to support aggressive interventions against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Programs supported by the Global Fund have provided AIDS treatment for 1.75 million people, TB treatment for 3.9 million people, and by distributing 59 million insecticide-treated bed nets for the prevention of malaria worldwide. The Global Fund provides a quarter of all international financing for AIDS globally and two-thirds of funding for TB and malaria.
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
UNICEF
Ethiopia's Minister of Health and the heads of four leading global health organisations, the GAVI Alliance, UNAIDS, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and UNICEF said that immunisation coverage, large-scale campaigns to prevent malaria and access to AIDS and malaria treatments have improved in developing countries thanks to more resources, new partnerships and technologies, stable, long-term donor support and improved coordination among health actors.
Ethiopia's Minister Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his country's strong commitment to achieving the MDGs and stated that "Ethiopia is on track to meet MDG 4" but must rely on strong donor support for its national health plan to continue its progress.
Increasing immunisation rates are recognised as essential to achieving MDG 4, a two-thirds reduction in childhood mortality by 2015, the experts said. Polio teeters on the edge of eradication; measles, a major killer of children in the poorest countries, has been dramatically reduced; malaria deaths have been cut by half in parts of Africa due to a concerted effort and expanded access and use of insecticide-treated bed nets; and the deadly Hib disease, a leading cause of meningitis, has been virtually eliminated in some parts of Africa. Last year, nearly one million more people were receiving antiretroviral therapy than in 2006, and today some three million people living with HIV are now on treatment globally - two million in sub-Saharan Africa.
Over the past eight years, global investments to fight malaria have increased ten-fold and AIDS investment eight-fold. The Global Fund alone has financed programmes worth US$11.4 billion since its creation in 2002. This unprecedented increase in resources is already showing encouraging results in reducing mortality and morbidity.
GAVI, a public-private alliance of major global health players has achieved success in delivering essential childhood vaccines in the developing world. Since its creation in 2000, GAVI's support has prevented 2.9 million future deaths and protected 36.8 million additional children with basic vaccines. Immunisation rates have increased to more than 70% in many countries.
"Many more people are living longer and healthier lives today thanks to increased access to HIV treatment. This could not have happened without substantial financial investments and improved health systems," said Dr Peter Piot, Executive Director, UNAIDS. "The challenge now is to sustain these gains and to ensure more equitable access for people who have been marginalized."
"Recent statistics show that under-five mortality continued to decline in 2007," said Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director UNICEF. "Continued success in measles and tetanus immunization rates, distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITN), and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV should maintain this positive trend."
Even with these improvements, the experts agreed that to reach the MDGs and achieve equitable distribution of public health across social, gender, ethnic and geographic levels will be more complex and costly.
"However successful we have been so far, we still face major challenges in ensuring vaccines reach the most vulnerable children. It's getting harder; the distances are getting greater and, in the areas we need to reach, the health systems are weakest. We must determine the best strategies with which to reach those girls and boys who are still missing out on immunisation," said the GAVI Alliance's Executive Secretary, Dr. Julian Lob-Levyt.
"The progress in fighting malaria alone can reduce child mortality enough to reach the MDG 4 target," Dr. Michel Kazatchkine, the Executive Director of the Global Fund said. "However, the great progress we have seen recently must be consolidated into lasting, sustainable progress in mother and child healthcare."
Pointing to the lessons learned through the AIDS response, Dr. Piot said: "Involving civil society and ensuring a rights-based approach can help strengthen health systems and deliver results to the people."
The experts also argued that development should be led by national priorities and a country's long-term plans.
"Altering business-as-usual and embracing a country-driven approach should be a core principle for development agencies, donor organisations and civil society organisations worldwide," said Lob-Levyt.
The GAVI Alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) is a public-private partnership of major stakeholders in immunisation. It includes developing country and donor governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry in both industrialised and developing countries, research and technical agencies, civil society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other philanthropists.
UNAIDS is an innovative joint venture of the United Nations, bringing together the efforts and resources of the UNAIDS Secretariat and ten UN system organizations in the AIDS response. The Secretariat headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland-with staff on the ground in more than 80 countries. Coherent action on AIDS by the UN system is coordinated in countries through UN theme groups, and joint programmes on AIDS. UNAIDS' Cosponsors include UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank. Visit the UNAIDS Web site at unaids
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria is a unique global public/private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities represents a new approach to international health financing. The Global Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organizations to supplement existing efforts dealing with the three diseases.
To date, the Global Fund has committed US$ 11.4 billion to more than 550 programs in 136 countries to support aggressive interventions against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Programs supported by the Global Fund have provided AIDS treatment for 1.75 million people, TB treatment for 3.9 million people, and by distributing 59 million insecticide-treated bed nets for the prevention of malaria worldwide. The Global Fund provides a quarter of all international financing for AIDS globally and two-thirds of funding for TB and malaria.
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
UNICEF
Learning From 9/11: Study Reviews Hospital's Disaster Preparedness
With the nation's busiest burn center and the metropolitan area's largest hospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS) fleet, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital rescued and treated many survivors of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center. A new study published by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in the September issue of the Journal of Burn Care and Research looks at the Hospital's disaster preparations -- especially as they address the challenges of communication and patient triage that occurred on that day.
The attack killed four NewYork-Presbyterian EMS employees and destroyed seven NewYork-Presbyterian EMS ambulances and two service vehicles.
The study reports difficulties with communications systems on Sept. 11, including the failure of EMS workers' portable two-way radios and the inability to track the location of EMS vehicles. There were also insufficient systems to facilitate triage of burn victims to specialized burn care facilities. Only 26 percent of burn patients were triaged to a burn center, even though there were an adequate number of beds available.
"In response to the challenges we faced on 9-11, NewYork-Presbyterian has enhanced its disaster response capabilities in areas including the acquisition of new equipment, and increased training and participation in disaster response exercises," says Dr. Roger W. Yurt, the study's lead author, director of the William Randolph Hearst Burn Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell and the Johnson & Johnson Distinguished Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. "Recent data has shown that triage to burn centers has improved, with more than 75 percent of burn patients in New York City triaged to a burn center; however it remains unseen whether effective triage can be sustained during a disaster."
The study was supported by a grant from the New York Firefighters' Burn Center Foundation.
NewYork-Presbyterian's disaster preparations fall under two main categories -- equipment upgrades and bolstered training and planning.
Equipment Upgrades
As far back as 1999, NewYork-Presbyterian Emergency Medical Service (NYP-EMS) recognized the importance of radio communications by deploying a mobile communications vehicle equipped with radios capable of operating on multiple frequencies. This vehicle was deployed on Sept. 11, 2001, and functioned as the primary coordination point for regional volunteer fire and rescue services staging at a local stadium outside of Manhattan in the 24 hours after the attack. In 2005, NYP-EMS acquired a state-of-the art mobile communications vehicle equipped with portable radio equipment, radio scanners, and computers with broadband cellular access.
"Within three weeks of delivery, the new vehicle accompanied a contingent of emergency physicians and EMS personnel responding to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, where it served as a command post for ground operations," says John Delaney, the study's co-author and director of NYP-EMS. There are plans to upgrade the vehicle with a high-speed satellite system for broadband access in areas without cellular coverage, and additional mobile radios capable of communicating with additional public safety frequencies.
Since 2001, all NYP-EMS vehicles have been equipped with global positioning technology (GPS) in order to track the exact location of the fleet. Additionally, decontamination facilities have been constructed outside of the main ambulance entrances of the Hospital's two major emergency departments. A mobile decontamination vehicle has also been added to the fleet.
In recognition of its advanced communications capabilities, the City's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has designed NYP-EMS as the coordinating center for mutual-aid ambulance notification system.
Bolstered Training and Planning
Since Sept. 11, NewYork-Presbyterian has increased its commitment to training its EMS and emergency department workers, and participating in training exercises and planning in collaboration with local, regional, state and federal agencies and organizations.
As of 2006, hazardous-materials (HAZ-MAT) training has been provided to NYP-EMS and NewYork-Presbyterian Emergency Department personnel. Since 2001, weapons of mass destruction (WMD) training has been available to NYP-EMS workers as a requirement for all hospital-based ambulance personnel who participate in the City's FDNY 911 dispatch system. Many NYP-EMS personnel -- including the NYP Hazardous Materials Medical Decontamination Team ("Decon") -- have achieved "Hazardous-Materials Operations" and "Hazardous-Materials Technician" capabilities.
The Hospital actively participates in regional exercises such as those directed by U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Emergency Management. The Hospital's written emergency preparedness Management Plan has been continually updated to reflect lessons learned from exercises, participation in symposia and training offered by state and local sources within the public and private sectors, and actual events.
NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System is the recipient of a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to create a three-day plan to respond to a mass disaster (chemical, biological or nuclear attack or accident). The plan, to be completed in coordination with the New York City Department of Health, will include triage to local and area hospitals and training of EMS workers. It is estimated that such a disaster could result in as many as 400 burn patients.
NewYork-Presbyterian's Response to Sept. 11
On Sept. 11, 2001, NYP-EMS personnel were among the first to respond to the World Trade Center site. Later that day and in days following, Hospital staff, including members of NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell's Department of Ophthalmology and Department of Psychiatry, volunteered at ground zero by attending to rescue workers.
NewYork-Presbyterian's Emergency Departments treated 175 patients, including 22 burn patients at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell's Hearst Burn Center. The NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System treated 600 victims in the first 48 hours following the disaster.
The Hospital also helped by providing a phone bank for relatives of victims seeking to locate their loved ones, by organizing blood drives and by providing grief counseling.
Since before 2001, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell's Department of Public Health and Department of Emergency Medicine have been active in disaster preparedness. With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Weill Cornell as pioneered the use of computer models to plan the public health response to large-scale bioterrorist attacks. In addition to research on antibiotic and vaccine dispensing, they have studied hospital capacity to treat mass casualties for a bioterrorist event and have engaged in extensive educational activities for medical students, residents and practicing physicians.
NewYork-Presbyterian Emergency Medical Service
The New York-Presbyterian Emergency Medical Service (NYP-EMS), established in 1978, is owned and operated by the Hospital and has been described as the largest hospital-based EMS service within the New York metropolitan region, employing more than 400 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), paramedics and support personnel, and operating 65 vehicles (including 39 ambulances and 26 support vehicles). The NYP-EMS has been certified by New York State to operate within the five boroughs of New York City (NYC) and three neighboring counties, and covers a geographic response area in excess of 1,850 square miles. For 2005, NYP-EMS received more than 83,000 calls for service, transported more than 53,000 patients and trained more than 7,000 providers in Basic and Advanced Life Support. Furthermore, NYP-EMS provides approximately 11 percent of the Hospital-based, Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) 911 system EMS responders.
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital -- based in New York City -- is the nation's largest not-for-profit, non-sectarian hospital, with 2,344 beds. It provides state-of-the-art inpatient, ambulatory and preventive care in all areas of medicine at five major centers: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Allen Pavilion and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division. One of the largest and most comprehensive health-care institutions in the world, the Hospital is committed to excellence in patient care, research, education and community service. It ranks sixth on U.S. News & World Report's guide to "America's Best Hospitals," has the greatest number of physicians listed in New York magazine's "Best Doctors" issue, and is included among Solucient's top 15 major teaching hospitals. The Hospital has academic affiliations with two of the nation's leading medical colleges: Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System -- which includes acute-care and community hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulatory sites and specialty institutes -- is committed to providing high-quality, cost-effective and conveniently accessible care to communities throughout the tri-state metropolitan region. The System serves one in four patients in the New York metropolitan area.
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical
425 East 61st St., Fl. 7
New York, NY 10021
United States
nyp
The attack killed four NewYork-Presbyterian EMS employees and destroyed seven NewYork-Presbyterian EMS ambulances and two service vehicles.
The study reports difficulties with communications systems on Sept. 11, including the failure of EMS workers' portable two-way radios and the inability to track the location of EMS vehicles. There were also insufficient systems to facilitate triage of burn victims to specialized burn care facilities. Only 26 percent of burn patients were triaged to a burn center, even though there were an adequate number of beds available.
"In response to the challenges we faced on 9-11, NewYork-Presbyterian has enhanced its disaster response capabilities in areas including the acquisition of new equipment, and increased training and participation in disaster response exercises," says Dr. Roger W. Yurt, the study's lead author, director of the William Randolph Hearst Burn Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell and the Johnson & Johnson Distinguished Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. "Recent data has shown that triage to burn centers has improved, with more than 75 percent of burn patients in New York City triaged to a burn center; however it remains unseen whether effective triage can be sustained during a disaster."
The study was supported by a grant from the New York Firefighters' Burn Center Foundation.
NewYork-Presbyterian's disaster preparations fall under two main categories -- equipment upgrades and bolstered training and planning.
Equipment Upgrades
As far back as 1999, NewYork-Presbyterian Emergency Medical Service (NYP-EMS) recognized the importance of radio communications by deploying a mobile communications vehicle equipped with radios capable of operating on multiple frequencies. This vehicle was deployed on Sept. 11, 2001, and functioned as the primary coordination point for regional volunteer fire and rescue services staging at a local stadium outside of Manhattan in the 24 hours after the attack. In 2005, NYP-EMS acquired a state-of-the art mobile communications vehicle equipped with portable radio equipment, radio scanners, and computers with broadband cellular access.
"Within three weeks of delivery, the new vehicle accompanied a contingent of emergency physicians and EMS personnel responding to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, where it served as a command post for ground operations," says John Delaney, the study's co-author and director of NYP-EMS. There are plans to upgrade the vehicle with a high-speed satellite system for broadband access in areas without cellular coverage, and additional mobile radios capable of communicating with additional public safety frequencies.
Since 2001, all NYP-EMS vehicles have been equipped with global positioning technology (GPS) in order to track the exact location of the fleet. Additionally, decontamination facilities have been constructed outside of the main ambulance entrances of the Hospital's two major emergency departments. A mobile decontamination vehicle has also been added to the fleet.
In recognition of its advanced communications capabilities, the City's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has designed NYP-EMS as the coordinating center for mutual-aid ambulance notification system.
Bolstered Training and Planning
Since Sept. 11, NewYork-Presbyterian has increased its commitment to training its EMS and emergency department workers, and participating in training exercises and planning in collaboration with local, regional, state and federal agencies and organizations.
As of 2006, hazardous-materials (HAZ-MAT) training has been provided to NYP-EMS and NewYork-Presbyterian Emergency Department personnel. Since 2001, weapons of mass destruction (WMD) training has been available to NYP-EMS workers as a requirement for all hospital-based ambulance personnel who participate in the City's FDNY 911 dispatch system. Many NYP-EMS personnel -- including the NYP Hazardous Materials Medical Decontamination Team ("Decon") -- have achieved "Hazardous-Materials Operations" and "Hazardous-Materials Technician" capabilities.
The Hospital actively participates in regional exercises such as those directed by U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Emergency Management. The Hospital's written emergency preparedness Management Plan has been continually updated to reflect lessons learned from exercises, participation in symposia and training offered by state and local sources within the public and private sectors, and actual events.
NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System is the recipient of a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to create a three-day plan to respond to a mass disaster (chemical, biological or nuclear attack or accident). The plan, to be completed in coordination with the New York City Department of Health, will include triage to local and area hospitals and training of EMS workers. It is estimated that such a disaster could result in as many as 400 burn patients.
NewYork-Presbyterian's Response to Sept. 11
On Sept. 11, 2001, NYP-EMS personnel were among the first to respond to the World Trade Center site. Later that day and in days following, Hospital staff, including members of NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell's Department of Ophthalmology and Department of Psychiatry, volunteered at ground zero by attending to rescue workers.
NewYork-Presbyterian's Emergency Departments treated 175 patients, including 22 burn patients at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell's Hearst Burn Center. The NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System treated 600 victims in the first 48 hours following the disaster.
The Hospital also helped by providing a phone bank for relatives of victims seeking to locate their loved ones, by organizing blood drives and by providing grief counseling.
Since before 2001, NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell's Department of Public Health and Department of Emergency Medicine have been active in disaster preparedness. With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Weill Cornell as pioneered the use of computer models to plan the public health response to large-scale bioterrorist attacks. In addition to research on antibiotic and vaccine dispensing, they have studied hospital capacity to treat mass casualties for a bioterrorist event and have engaged in extensive educational activities for medical students, residents and practicing physicians.
NewYork-Presbyterian Emergency Medical Service
The New York-Presbyterian Emergency Medical Service (NYP-EMS), established in 1978, is owned and operated by the Hospital and has been described as the largest hospital-based EMS service within the New York metropolitan region, employing more than 400 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), paramedics and support personnel, and operating 65 vehicles (including 39 ambulances and 26 support vehicles). The NYP-EMS has been certified by New York State to operate within the five boroughs of New York City (NYC) and three neighboring counties, and covers a geographic response area in excess of 1,850 square miles. For 2005, NYP-EMS received more than 83,000 calls for service, transported more than 53,000 patients and trained more than 7,000 providers in Basic and Advanced Life Support. Furthermore, NYP-EMS provides approximately 11 percent of the Hospital-based, Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) 911 system EMS responders.
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital -- based in New York City -- is the nation's largest not-for-profit, non-sectarian hospital, with 2,344 beds. It provides state-of-the-art inpatient, ambulatory and preventive care in all areas of medicine at five major centers: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Allen Pavilion and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division. One of the largest and most comprehensive health-care institutions in the world, the Hospital is committed to excellence in patient care, research, education and community service. It ranks sixth on U.S. News & World Report's guide to "America's Best Hospitals," has the greatest number of physicians listed in New York magazine's "Best Doctors" issue, and is included among Solucient's top 15 major teaching hospitals. The Hospital has academic affiliations with two of the nation's leading medical colleges: Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System -- which includes acute-care and community hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulatory sites and specialty institutes -- is committed to providing high-quality, cost-effective and conveniently accessible care to communities throughout the tri-state metropolitan region. The System serves one in four patients in the New York metropolitan area.
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical
425 East 61st St., Fl. 7
New York, NY 10021
United States
nyp
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