WHO REPORTS

This is a synopsis. Original at the World Health Organization;

Communicable diseases

Measles immunization campaigns have begun in northern Sumatra (Aceh and Medan) to addressed reported measles cases in Banda Aceh and suspected cases in Meulaboh. The number of cases of different diseases are increasing, but no outbreaks reported.

Environmental Health (access to safe water and hygiene, sanitation situation)

Basic sanitation infrastructure in Meulaboh is severely disrupted and safe water must be distributed from centralized points. Large-scale capacity containers and smaller containers for carrying are needed.

Health system and infrastructure (functioning health facilities, access etc)

In Meulaboh, only one functional hospital remains on the outskirts of the city, reportedly supported by MSF, with one emergency room, one surgical suite and one inpatient ward of 20 beds. Field hospitals are being deployed by the French army.

WHO Country Information

The fate of nearly one million people along the western coast Aceh is slowly being assessed with anecdotal reports of death rates in excess of 50%. 70,000 people are still unaccounted. The highest priority is getting aid to those it has not yet reached.