Kathmandu, Nepal – Social media platform TikTok has provided support to WHO to strengthen health services for people affected by the devastating floods that hit Nepal on 26 August.
Nearly a month after the devastating floods struck Nepal, WHO continues to work with the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, provincial and local authorities, and health partners to address the health needs of affected people.
“Emergencies can have profound and lasting consequences for the health and well-being of affected communities. We welcome TikTok’s support which will help protect health, restore essential services and support recovery in affected communities,” said Dr Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Region.
“We thank TikTok for its contribution which will be used for essential health supplies, trauma and rehabilitation care, immunizations services, and strengthening of public health measures to detect and respond to health risks,” said Dr Allison Gocotano, Acting WHO Representative to Nepal.
The floods disrupted health services and damaged health infrastructure. As of 26 September, the floods have resulted in 1453 deaths, with 5285 people still missing. In addition to deaths and injuries, the floods increased the risk of water- and food-borne diseases, vector-borne diseases and respiratory infections, as well as the need for psychosocial support.
As Nepal moves from immediate relief towards recovery, collaboration and partnerships will be essential to restore health services, protect communities from public health risks and address the longer-term consequences of this emergency, Dr Gocotano said.
WHO continues to coordinate the health response, enhance disease surveillance, information management, situation assessment and clinical guidance. WHO has also been mobilizing emergency medical and other essential supplies to maintain the continuity of essential health services in affected areas. This includes two sets of interagency emergency health kits (designed to support basic health needs of 20 000 people for 3 months), 4500 rapid diagnostic test kits for dengue, malaria, scrub typhus, influenza A+B and leptospirosis; water-treatment and shelter support, including 100 000 chlorine tablets and 50 community water filters, and 14 multipurpose tents; temporary outpatient department services in Bidur, and personal protective equipment, including 10 000 masks and 1350 body bags, based on field-identified needs and government requests.