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WHO
Collaborative Programme
Emergency
Preparedness and Humanitarian Action
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Situation analysis:
Lebanon is exposed to a number of hazards, such as external aggression, earthquakes, landslides, snow storms, forest fires and industrial and transport accidents, which can cause emergencies and disasters at any time. The indiscriminate bombardment of civilian areas and killing of hundreds of innocent civilians, most of them children and women, by Israeli forces during 1996 are just an example of the types of disasters that Lebanon is exposed to.
After this disaster, the High Level National Relief Committee mobilized its resources to deal with the situation. A national committee for health emergency management was created headed by the Minister of Health. Members of this committee are: Ministry of Health, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Lebanon Red Crescent Society (LRC), Civil Defense, Syndicate of Private Hospitals, and Health Professionals Associations.
The main responsibilities of this committee are: needs assessment, management of international assistance, management of central warehouses, management of referred casualties, management of health services provided for displaced population, and management of the media.
At the Regional level, the Ministry of Health has established a committee in south Lebanon in order to manage the health emergency situation in this area, which is most affected by Israeli aggressions. With the Israeli withdrawal from the south, large areas of landmines still exist, they present a serious danger, casualties are reported daily and their emergency care is primordial in minimizing the damage from injury. Most of the emergency care is provided by the LRC, Civil Defense and local NGOs.
For the time being there is no comprehensive national disaster management program in the country. The existing disaster management actions are based on emergency relief services. Fortunately, the national authorities in Lebanon are aware of the need for planning for disaster reduction and response. During 1996, Lebanon with close cooperation and co-ordination of UN agencies started the process of developing their national programme of emergency preparedness and response, which will ensure the participation of all sectors who can play a role during emergencies in a coordinated manner. A draft interim national disaster plan report was prepared. It included all important points and pre-requisites for developing the national plan, including steps to develop and define policy, in which, the authority and role of each level of government, the role of NGOs, the relation between each level of administrative levels of the country and others, are clearly determined.
The progress for the development of a comprehensive EHA programme during recent years can be summarized as follows:
- Designation of EHA focal point in the Ministry of Public Health in order to develop an effective emergency preparedness and response in Lebanon and to serve as coordinator for the health sector in disaster management.
- Establishment of a committee comprised of all active partners in emergency management. These partners include the Ministry of Health, the Sanitary Brigade of the Lebanese Army, LRC, Civil Defense, essential NGOs and private hospitals syndicate and health professionals associations.
- Agreement on the use of resources both human and material, including logistical capabilities of different partners.
- Identification of national priorities.
- Comprehensive survey of all available facilities.
- Preparation of a plan of action for emergency management.
- Determination of the human resources needs during emergencies and a detailed training programme for national capacity building in the area of emergency management.
- Establishment of central and regional warehouses.
- Agreement on emergency communication system.
- Using the media for public awareness and injury and accident prevention.
WHO role has been to endeavor national capacities in handling emergencies through a continuous close technical support, provision of supplies and equipment, and emergency preparedness through the Quarantina Warehouse. In general, WHO is concerned with health system and structures preparedness (health management at district level, PHC structures, and Ambulatory patient transfers) and with epidemic control preparedness (laboratory equipment, testing kits, training).
In Jan 2001, WHO supported a short mission (Dr Elmi), to review the situation of Emergency preparedness. He reviewed the existing situation of health emergency preparedness and response in Lebanon. He states that there are more than 5,200 paramedic and first aid workers including LRC volunteers. The number of LRC centers currently working is 38, and additional 12 centers are proposed to help cover all Lebanese districts. The Ministry of Internal Security (MIS) Civil Defense Section received medical emergency equipment and a few ambulances. The Islamic health association has 64 ambulances and 13 civil defense stations.
Dr. Elmi recommends the following:
1. The Ministry of Public Health should establish a viable mechanism such as a coordination protocol in order to coordinate the effort of all agencies (NGOs, private and public hospitals) involved in the provision of health service delivery to maximize the benefit from available resources by avoiding duplicating efforts and unnecessary wastage.
2. The Ministry of Public Health should establish a unit for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response and nominate a National EPR Focal Point.
3. The Ministry of Public Health should organize a national consensus meeting for all partners involved in health delivery for the adoption of health emergency protocols and plans in line with the national emergency plan.
4. WHO should support to strengthen and develop the institutional capacity building of MOPH, including support for the development of emergency preparedness program, strengthening of managerial capability at central, regional and district level.
5. Community involvement and participation in emergency management, disease control and response to epidemics should be initiated, established and strengthened at local and regional levels through community leaders and local NGOs with local knowledge and understanding community coping mechanism.
6. The MOPH should establish a clear policy on emergency medical services for the persons who have no medical insurance.
7. Blood safety protocols of MOPH should be updated and a system for blood collection and quality control be developed.
8. The MOPH should establish standard procedures for referral system.
9. The MOPH should develop efficient system for storage and distribution of medicine and basic supplies.
10. The MOPH and all agencies (private and public hospitals, NGOs involved in the provision of health service delivery should explore the possibility of having ambulatory clinics in emergency situations and address the existing problem of shortage of equipped ambulances.
Main priorities for 2002-2003:
- Human resource development in the area of emergency preparedness and response.
- Finalization and adoption of EHA national plan.
- Promotion of multidisciplinary approach in dealing with emergencies and disasters and strengthening the coordination and cooperation of different sectors in this regard.
- Epidemics/outbreaks preparedness.
- Emergency system plan.
Objectives:
- To promote emergency preparedness response and activities.
- To provide timely and adequate response to emergencies.
- To develop the national plan on emergency preparedness and humanitarian action.
- To promote the multidisciplinary approach in dealing with emergencies and disasters.
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