Tropical Cyclones - World Health Organization (WHO)
Oct 1, 2019 · Tropical Cyclones. Tropical cyclones, also known as typhoons or hurricanes, are among the most destructive weather phenomena. They are intense circular storms that originate over warm tropical oceans, and have maximum sustained wind speeds exceeding 119 kilometres per hour and heavy rains. However, the greatest damage to life and property is ...
Preparedness for cyclones, tropical storms, tornadoes, floods and ...
Apr 29, 2020 · Overview . The WHO health advisory provides guidance to countries on adapting all existing preparedness and response plans and procedures for natural hazards such as cyclones, tropical storms, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes and potential outbreaks of other diseases to their existing COVID-19 strategic preparedness and response plans.
Cyclone Winston 2016 - World Health Organization (WHO)
Cyclone Winston (2016) The most powerful cyclone ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere ravaged Fiji on 20–21 February 2016, leaving 44 dead, nearly 130 injured and 45 hospitalized. The cyclone had a significant impact on the health system, damaging health facilities, disrupting health care services, resulting in lost medical supplies, and ...
Tropical Cyclone Gita - World Health Organization (WHO)
Tropical cyclone Gita. In early February 2018, Tropical Cyclone Gita, a Category 4 storm with winds of more than 275 kilometres per hour, ravaged the Pacific. As the country most affected by the cyclone, Tonga was the focus of WHO's support. From 12 to 13 February, the storm ravaged the main island of Tongatapu and nearby 'Eua. The two islands ...
Floods - World Health Organization (WHO)
Jan 30, 2024 · Floods are often caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt or a storm surge from a tropical cyclone or tsunami in coastal areas. Floods can cause widespread devastation, resulting in loss of life and damages to personal property and critical public health infrastructure. Between 1998-2017, floods affected more than 2 billion people worldwide.
Drought - World Health Organization (WHO)
Jan 1, 2018 · Drought is a prolonged dry period in the natural climate cycle that can occur anywhere in the world. It is a slow-onset disaster characterized by the lack of precipitation, resulting in a water shortage. Drought can have a serious impact on health, agriculture, economies, energy and the environment. An estimated 55 million people globally are ...
Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) - World Health Organization (WHO)
Dec 6, 2013 · Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in the Philippines, 2013. On 8 November 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan (known locally as Yolanda) swept across the Philippines affecting 16 million people. More than 28 000 were injured and 6 300 died. As international assistance began to pour in, the World Health Organization (WHO) was one of the first agencies on ...
Cholera - Malawi - World Health Organization (WHO)
Feb 3, 2023 · The current outbreak started in March 2022 from Machinga district following tropical storm Ana (January 2022) and Cyclone Gombe (March 2022) which caused floods leading to the displacement of a population with low pre-existing immunity and had lack of access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Wildfires - World Health Organization (WHO)
Jul 3, 2024 · A wildfire is an unplanned fire that burns in a natural area such as a forest, grassland, or prairie. Wildfires are often caused by human activity or a natural phenomenon such as lightning, and they can happen at any time or anywhere. In 50% of wildfires recorded, it is not known how they started.
Heatwaves - World Health Organization (WHO)
Jan 1, 2011 · Heatwaves are among the most dangerous of natural hazards, but rarely receive adequate attention because their death tolls and destruction are not always immediately obvious. A study found that from 2000–2019 approximately 489 000 heat-related deaths occurred each year, including more than 70 000 who died during the 2003 heatwave in Europe.