EHA Presentation Meeting of Health Ministers of Small Island Developing States Cape Verde 17 – 19 March, 2009

Hazards and Risks In addition to risks of outbreaks of communicable diseases The small Island states also face multiple hazards of natural disasters – floods, droughts, cyclones, volcanic eruptions and effects of climate change

Cyclones Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles are in the cyclone belt and can be affected by tropical cyclones between January and May. The season began on November 15, 2008, and will end on April 30, 2009, but for Mauritius and the Seychelles the season is expected to end in May Tropical cyclones in this basin are monitored by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center in Réunion 2008 – 2009 Cyclones Season

Volcanic Eruption The Karthala volcano near Moroni on Grande Comoro erupts periodically, most recently in November Earthquakes associated with increased volcanic activity occurred in mid- January Source: IRIN

Global Fault Lines

CLIMATE CHANGE: Africa projections , +4ºC+2 ºC -20%+20% Temperature Rainfall Source:IPCC AR4 WG1 ch 11

Resulting Impacts Loss of lives and means of livelihoods Population displacements Destruction of health facilities and disruption of health systems Increased communicable diseases risks Injuries

Current Challenges Non mapping of risks In-adequate early warning system within the countries Absence of adequate strategy for impact mitigation Lack of preparedness for dealing with disaster.

Existing Frameworks for Response

UN Conference on Small Islands Mauritius (January, 2005) The Mauritius Strategy for further implementation of the Barbados Program of Action, emphasizes that small island developing States, or SIDS “are located among the most vulnerable regions in the world in relation to the intensity and frequency of natural and environmental disasters and their increasing impact, and face disproportionately high economic, social and environmental consequence,” called for a global early warning system has been enthusiastically supported at the conference, reiterating that such a warning system should cover not just tsunamis but also other threats, such as storm surges and cyclones.

Seychelles Declaration: October 2006 SIDS Committed to strengthening emergency preparedness and response to the health aspects of natural disasters and epidemics Requested WHO to: Increase support for the training of health professionals in emergency preparedness and response to disasters and epidemics,

Libreville Declaration on Health and Environment in Africa (August 2008): Reaffirmed commitment to implement all conventions and declarations that bear on health and environment linkages Committed to “Establishing or strengthening for health and environment surveillance to allow measurement of interlinked health and environment impacts and to identify emerging risks in order to manage them better”

Medium Term Strategic Objective 5 “to reduce the health consequences of emergencies, disasters, crises and conflicts, and minimize their social and economic impact” The joint efforts of the Member States and the Secretariat regarding this strategic objective includes: Health sector emergency preparedness, Intersectoral action for risk and vulnerability reduction within the framework of the International Strategy on Disaster Reduction (ISDR) Response to the health needs of emergencies and crises, Threat-specific risk reduction along with preparedness and response programmes for environmental and food safety public health emergencies.

Way Forward Members States and sectretariat to work together towards achieving the medium term strategic objective number 5 This is to be done within the frameworks of Mauritius, Seychelles and Libreville declarations

Specific Actions Conducting Vulnerability, Risk Assessments and Mapping (VRAM) Developing/Updating the disaster preparedness and mitigation plan Developing/Updating contingency plans Establishing early warning; conducting trainings on response including mass casualty management and stockpiling supplies Implement the “safe hospital” initiative

Thank you