The work of WHO on Emergencies in the African Region

Overview

Natural disasters and social unrests continue to cause displacements in many countries of the WHO African Region. In 2009 alone, over 6.9 million people were displaced among which were 4.9 million internally displaced persons and about 2 million refugees Impact of climate change is leading to increasing droughts with its attendant food crises and malnutrition. Similarly, thousands of people are affected by floods and cyclones annually causing deaths and destruction of farmlands as well as housing and social infrastructure including health facilities. All these have direct and indirect impact on disease burden and health care delivery, thus negatively affecting the attainment of MDGs.