Update on the humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the CAR refugees in the neighbouring countries.
Ms. Claire Bourgeois, Senior Humanitarian Coordinator for the Central African Republic Ms. Liz Ahua, Regional Refugee Coordinator, Central African Republic situation
Nepal earthquake - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launches an emergency appeal in response to the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on 25 April.
Red Cross volunteers and staff have been relentlessly working on the ground from the onset of the Nepal earthquake supporting search and rescue efforts, administering first aid and providing assistance at the evacuation centres and on the streets. Mr Elhadj As Sy, IFRC Secretary General and Mr Simon Eccleshall, IFRC Head of Disaster and Crisis Management will provide the latest updates on the situation on the ground and the Red Cross Red Crescent response to the disaster. Elhadj As Sy – Secretary General, IFRC Simon Eccleshall, Head, Disaster and Crisis Management
More than half of the global rural population excluded from health care: launch of the report "Global evidence on inequities in rural health protection: New data on rural deficits in health coverage for 174 countries".
Xenia Scheil-Adlung, Health Policy Coordinator at the ILO
More than half a million lives are still being lost to malaria each year. On World Malaria Day 2015 (25 April), the World Health Organization is calling for the global health community to urgently address significant gaps in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this preventable disease.
Dr Richard Cibulskis, Coordinator, Strategy, Economics and Elimination, WHO Global Malaria Programme Dr Peter Olumese, Medical Officer, Diagnosis, Treatment and Vaccines, WHO Global Malaria Programme Prudence Smith, Communications Adviser, Roll Back Malaria Partnership Secretariat
Journalists are invited to a press conference to learn more about this year’s World Immunization Week, which takes place from 24-30 April. With the world far off track in progress towards global vaccination targets for 2015, WHO is calling for renewed efforts to get progress back on course.
Dr Jean-Marie Okwo-Belé, WHO Director of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals
Lethal autonomous weapons systems
Ambassador Michael Biontino of Germany, Chair of the Informal Meeting of Experts on lethal autonomous weapons systems
Caesarean section is one of the most common surgeries in the world, with rates continuing to rise, particularly in high- and middle-income countries. Although it can save lives, caesarean section is often performed when it is not necessary for medical reasons. Additionally, the procedure may put women and their babies at risk of short- and long-term health problems. A new statement from the World Health Organization (WHO) underscores the importance of focusing on the needs of the patient.
Dr. Marleen Temmerman, Director, Reproductive Health and Research, WHO
Briefing on the Universal Postal Union’s World Strategy Conference, 13-14 April 2015 (CICG Geneva) – see strategy2015.upu.int for information and programme
Bishar A. Hussein, UPU Director General Pascal Clivaz, UPU Deputy Director General Representative from Côte d’Ivoire (Conference chair)
Trade in commodities: challenges and opportunities - 6th Global Commodities Forum - 13-14 April 2015
Samuel Gayi - UNCTAD - Chief of the Special Unit on Commodities Kris Terauds - Special Unit on Commodities - Economist
In response to lessons learned from the Ebola outbreak, WHO has developed a registry of accredited Foreign Medical Teams (FMTs) – a roster of pre-verified medical teams from around the world ready to deploy at moment’s notice for emergency response. During the Ebola outbreak, WHO has coordinated the deployment of nearly 60 foreign medical teams provided by 40 organizations. In emergency response to the Vanuatu cyclone, WHO has deployed 20 FMTs through this registry
Dr. Ian Norton, WHO Project leader, Foreign Medical Teams
