Crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic
13 September 2012 – Following an exploratory mission to Homs Governorate in the Syrian Arab Republic, the UN reports that the humanitarian situation in the governorate (population 2.2 million) continues to deteriorate, with an estimated 550 000 people in need of humanitarian assistance. Priority needs relate to health care, food aid, shelter, water and sanitation, and education.
Cholera situation in the WHO African Region
22 August: A total of 55 185 cases and 1187 deaths have been reported in 2012 from 21 countries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Niger, Sierra Leone and Uganda accounted for 92% of the cases and 88% of the deaths. WHO and other partners continue to provide guidance and technical support to the affected countries in the areas of multi-sectoral coordination; surveillance; case management; infection prevention and control; logistics; community awareness; cross border collaboration; and resource mobilization. Experts in these different areas were deployed in the field to support the investigation and response to cholera outbreaks.
Sahel food crises
29 August – Mali: 4.6 million people are estimated to be at risk of food insecurity due to conflict in northern Mali and the Sahel food and nutrition crisis. As of 22 August 2012, an estimated 174 000 people were internally displaced and 268 775 were living as refugees in neighbouring countries. In 2012, 159 cases of cholera, including 12 deaths, have been reported in northern Mali.
Islamic Republic of Iran earthquakes
14 August 2012 -- Two earthquakes and more than 60 aftershocks struck the Islamic Republic of Iran on 11 August 2012, leaving 255 dead, 2006 injured and more than 16 000 homeless. WHO’s office in the Islamic Republic of Iran is in close contact with UN partners and the head of the Emergency Operations Center of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education to monitor the situation.
