Several news outlets published articles about the health-related effects in the aftermath of natural disasters around the globe:
Elisabeth Byrs, a spokesperson for the U.N.'s humanitarian coordination office (OCHA), said, "We are today launching a flash appeal ... to bring assistance to one million people following the typhoons that struck the Philippines," Agence France-Presse reports (10/6). "U.N. humanitarian chief John Holmes said the appeal is seeking money for food, water, sanitation facilities, emergency shelter and health care for those worst affected by Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma," the Associated Press writes. Holmes said the appeal is "intended to cover the needs of a million people for three months" (Lederer, 10/6).
According to AFP, the WHO said that at least 16 health facilities have been damaged and "U.N. agencies warned of the threat of waterborne diseases" (10/6). The Philippines said it will soon start importing rice to make up for the shortages caused by the storms, the BBC reports. Though the government "usually imports large quantities of rice ... it is likely to begin importing it earlier than usual this year because so many crops have been damaged" (10/7). In the aftermath of the storms, UNICEF said it is "concerned about the risk of epidemics and their potential impact on children and lactating women. [The agency] says it has delivered hundreds of hygiene kits and is disseminating information about best hygiene practices," VOA News writes (10/6).
President Barack Obama issued a statement to convey "condolences" to the country, AFP reports. Obama noted that USAID has so far allocated $1.8 million in response funds (10/6). Reuters published a "breakdown of more than $17 million worth of humanitarian aid promised and sent so far" to the Philippines (10/7).