International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC’s Post

#Mpox has been declared a global health emergency! Why are we all concerned? ▶ Human-to-Human Transmission: it is spreading faster and because of different strains, it is spreading among children under 5 (Burundi) as well as adults, through closed contacts (DRC). ▶ Severity in some Cases: the new strain in DRC Congo has a higher death rate. ▶ Limited Vaccine and Testing availability. There are way too many unknows still and people are growing anxious and fearful. After four years since the COVID19 pandemic, there are 3 things we need to remember now: 1️⃣ We are different! We now understand outbreaks differently and are making the connection with our past pandemic experience and our believes and values. Our level of trust in health authorities and information is low. What we communicate, when and how, matters more than ever! 2️⃣ Locally trusted systems. In these concerning times, when biomedical tools such as testing and vaccines might not be available, community systems and local actors like the #RedCross #RedCrescent  must be supported to ensure that people are informed, protected, and supported to take preventive actions. 3️⃣ Global framing of the disease from 2022 as a ‘gay disease’ drive people underground and hinder health seeking especially in countries where same-sex relations are criminalized. We need to carefully balance information and invest into tailored engagement approaches for each context and need. We know how to control outbreaks, but we seem to forget much of the lessons each time!

The Israel-Gaza war is "the deadliest conflict for children in recent times: roughly 160 children were being killed a day last month according to the World Health Organization. Compare this with three a day in the recent conflict in Syria, two a day in Afghanistan, and 0.7 a day in Ukraine. The total number of children killed is already more than 5,300 says Unicef, the United Nations Children’s Fund. They didn’t choose to be born there, and are innocent, but are bearing the brunt of these attacks. Tragically, the nearly unprecedented death and injury we have seen so far is likely to only be the beginning. From looking at similar conflicts across the world, public health experts know that we are likely to see more children dying from preventable disease than from bullets and bombs. While the Israeli government has spoken about safe zones for families to flee to, these aren’t anywhere near what we would consider safe public health zones. They don’t have clean water, functional sanitation and toilets, enough food, or trained medical staff with medicine and equipment. These are the basic needs that any human, especially babies and children, need to stay healthy and alive." - Prof Devi Sridhar is chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh https://lnkd.in/gynfpRtH

An emergency meeting has been convened to tackle Africa's escalating Mpox crisis, reflecting growing alarm over the virus's rapid spread across the continent. The meeting brings together key stakeholders, including health officials, policymakers, and international organizations, to develop a coordinated strategy for controlling the outbreak. The primary focus is on mobilizing resources, implementing effective containment measures, and ensuring that affected regions receive the necessary support to address the crisis. This urgent assembly highlights the critical need for immediate and decisive action to curb the Mpox outbreak, protect public health, and prevent the situation from worsening further. The collaborative effort aims to strengthen response mechanisms and safeguard communities from the severe impacts of the disease. #MpoxCrisis #AfricaHealth #EmergencyMeeting #PublicHealth #KnowAfrika Read More: https://lnkd.in/dhtkw7_A

In light of the escalating cholera crisis in the Somali region, we are issuing an urgent call to action to rally support for the STOP cholera response plan. Cholera outbreaks pose a severe threat to public health, requiring immediate and coordinated efforts to contain and mitigate its impact on communities. To this end, we have developed a comprehensive four-week STOP cholera response plan aimed at addressing the immediate needs and challenges posed by the outbreak.

Africa has the highest drowning death rate. In 2021, 6️⃣6️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ people died from drowning in the region. Anyone can drown but no one should! This #DrowningPreventionDay, my colleague Chiara Retis, #WHOAFRO Team Lead for Violence,Injuries and Disability- details why drowning is a concerning public health issue and how #WHO is helping countries to reduce drowning incidents. More⬇️

Read my weekly publication Last Week's Disasters, where i summarize the main events in the world of disasters and crisis, handpicking the most important titles from last week. in this publication i highlight the Polio in Gaza as it is a public health threat that no one will be able to respond to without a permeant ceasefire. if you are interest, subscribe to receive all updates. https://lnkd.in/dH8puJGp

Africa's response to public health emergencies has been characterised by a pattern of "crisis response followed by neglect and complacency". This week i explore how the pandemic exposed failures of Africa's public health system in handling outbreaks and put suggestions forward on how it can become resilient through prevention and control to future outbreaks. https://lnkd.in/dmbxFsjs

https://lnkd.in/ecutjSWd "The Israel-Gaza war has set several world records. It’s the deadliest conflict for journalists in 30 years. It has caused the largest single loss of life for United Nations staff in the history of the organisation. It is set to have the worst ever total number of attacks on healthcare facilities and their personnel, and has devastated schools, with 51% of education facilities damaged. International rules such as the Geneva conventions have not been respected: hospitals and ambulances have been targeted, medical relief organisations such as Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and Save the Children are under attack, and have lost staff members. The Israel-Gaza war is also deadly for children, reportedly the deadliest conflict for children in recent times: roughly 160 children were being killed a day last month according to the World Health Organization. Compare this with three a day in the recent conflict in Syria, two a day in Afghanistan, and 0.7 a day in Ukraine. The total number of children killed is already more than 5,300 says Unicef, the United Nations Children’s Fund. They didn’t choose to be born there, and are innocent, but are bearing the brunt of these attacks. Tragically, the nearly unprecedented death and injury we have seen so far is likely to only be the beginning. From looking at similar conflicts across the world, public health experts know that we are likely to see more children dying from preventable disease than from bullets and bombs. While the Israeli government has spoken about safe zones for families to flee to, these aren’t anywhere near what we would consider safe public health zones. They don’t have clean water, functional sanitation and toilets, enough food, or trained medical staff with medicine and equipment. These are the basic needs that any human, especially babies and children, need to stay healthy and alive. I have been working in global public health for 20 years, and I have never heard health and aid organisations as forthright and concerned as they are about the level of suffering and deaths in Gaza. It is an unprecedented conflict, breaking the most tragic records, and while experts might debate whether it’s a genocide or not, the truth is we’re witnessing the mass killing of a population, whether by bomb, bullet, starvation or disease."

For anyone with a medical or public health background, the devastating consequences of the decimation of Gaza’s healthcare and housing infrastructure is horrifyingly plain to see. The numbers are going to be significantly higher than what we are seeing today.  “The WHO spokesperson Dr Margaret Harris has said that diarrhoea rates among children in refugee-like camps (sheltered housing) in Gaza were, in early November, already more than 100 times normal levels, and with no treatments available, children can become dehydrated and die quickly. Diarrhoeal diseases are the second leading cause of death in children under five worldwide, and they are caused by contaminated water sources and lack of access to oral rehydration fluids. Upper respiratory infections, chickenpox, and painful skin conditions have also increased, and there are fears that the recent floods may result in untreated sewage mixing with fresh water used for drinking and cooking, and cause a cholera outbreak.“ https://lnkd.in/gQHnZkuJ

In recent years the number, scale, duration, and complexity of health crises and public health emergencies have escalated dramatically, putting children’s health and well-being at risk. Public health emergencies – such as continued outbreaks of cholera, measles, and polio – have had a direct and profound impact on the health and well-being of girls and boys, disrupt the socio-economic status of families, and foster uncertainty within communities. Pandemics have shown that children face specific vulnerabilities that require child-focused measures to be taken as part of comprehensive preparedness and response, including continuity of essential public services such as schools. It is imperative that communities, including children, are protected not only from the public health threat itself but also from the negative consequences of control measures. To address this urgent issue, UNICEF is proud to host the Community Protection side-event alongside the World Health Organization and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC at #WHA77 to discuss actions that put individuals and communities at the center of response efforts.  Please join us on 30 May from 8-9 AM CEST as we discuss these pressing issues, and work towards a healthier world #ForEveryChild, everywhere. https://lnkd.in/dPRS7URq