Via Inquirer News: UN cites mental health care needs of ‘Sendong’ survivors. And apart from the psychological shock of the storm, infectious diseases are also a problem. Excerpt:
The UN estimates that there are some 123,3000 affected school children aged 3-15 years in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan alone.
Also, the UN noted a continuing lack of doctors “to ensure provision of round-the-clock health services.”
“Provision of regular consultative medical services for all affected is a priority,” the UN report said.
Most frequently reported health concerns in the crowded evacuation centers are acute respiratory infections, fever, open wounds, acute watery diarrhea and skin diseases. Leptospirosis and suspect measles cases have also been reported in some of the evacuation centres.
Two weeks into the disaster, the UN-OCHA said “humanitarian assistance is urgently required outside of the urban hubs of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan” especially by people in remote and isolated villages.
In Iligan, relief supplies for the five hinterland villages of Rogongon, Dulag, Panoroganan, Lanipao and Kalilangan have to be airlifted. The bridge that connects to these villages was destroyed.
