WHO / BAHAMAS TEDROS

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, visited the Bahamas in the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Dorian which has not only cost many lives and livelihoods but caused severe damage to essential infrastructure, depriving communities of vital services at a critical time. WHO

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:31
• Production Date: 2 October 2019
• Asset Language: English
• Personal Subject: TEDROS GHEBREYESUS
• Corporate Name: WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION - WHO
• Subject Topical: NATURAL DISASTERS
• Geographic Subject: BAHAMAS
• MAMS Id: 2462235
• Parent Id: 2462235
• Alternate Title: unifeed191002f

Description

STORY: WHO / BAHAMAS TEDROS
TRT: 02:31
SOURCE: WHO
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: NATS

DATELINE: 27 SEPTEMBER 2019, BAHAMAS

Shotlist

1. Tracking shot, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrival at airport
2. Various shot, aerial views of hurricane destruction
3. Tracking shot, views of hurricane destruction from moving vehicle
4. Various shots, Tedros surveying of hurricane destruction
5. Various shots, Tedros visiting displaced people

Storyline

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Friday (27 Sep) visited the Bahamas in the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Dorian which has not only cost many lives and livelihoods but caused severe damage to essential infrastructure, depriving communities of vital services at a critical time.

During his visit, Tedros met with the Governor-General, Minister of Health and other government officials and commended their preparedness, readiness and efforts to mitigate the damage caused by the hurricane.

The visit included stops in Abaco and Grand Bahama islands where most households and infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, were completely destroyed. Tedros was accompanied by Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands. Hurricane Dorian hit the country on 1 September 2019, affecting 75 000 people. About 1500 people are still being housed in shelters; about 600 are still missing; and 56 are confirmed dead.

The health sector in Abaco and Grand Bahama suffered a substantial blow, with equipment and medical supplies destroyed and electrical and water supplies interrupted. In Grand Bahama three health clinics have been destroyed and two in Abaco.

The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO-WHO) is the only United Nations agency with a physical presence in the Bahamas. PAHO-WHO has deployed 20 staff members and coordinated the mobilization of 5 International Emergency Medical Teams for the response. Tedros thanked the teams for their rapid response and tireless service to the most vulnerable.

WHO has mobilized USD 1 million from the Contingency Fund for the hurricane response. Dr Tedros reiterated WHO’s commitment to support the government and people of the Bahamas for the recovery of the health system.