On October 15, 2013, a powerful earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale struck the central Philippines. The earthquake woke the region at 8:12 in the morning wreaking havoc in the province of Bohol where the quake’s epicentre was reported.
Tremors were also felt in Cebu, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Iloilo, Siquijor, and Leyte. Houses, public buildings, roads, bridges, churches, seaports, schools and health facilities were damaged and thousands of people displaced. The earthquake killed 223 people (209 in Bohol) and injured 976 (877 in Bohol). There were a total of 3,198 aftershocks in November alone with 94 strong enough to cause further alarm among the population.
A total of 199 health facilities were partially and some completely damaged in Bohol - dramatically reducing health services in the region. The vaccination cold chain (which is the transportation and storage of the vaccines at the correct temperature for use) was broken while much of the affected population needed medical attention and protection from the diseases that often emerge following disasters of this magnitude.
The WHO’s initial response was to coordinate national and international medical teams to assist the victims of the disaster. WHO worked closely with the Philippine Government’s Department of Health (DoH) and other health partners to respond to the quake. The extensive damage to health facilities meant WHO needed to install temporary health facilities in tents and provide health workers with medicines, supplies and equipment. The WHO also set up temporary birthing facilities to cater to the 7,894 expected births in the months following the earthquake.
The Bohol region was also indirectly affected by typhoon Yolanda which struck on the 8th of November 2013. The island’s power was generated from Eastern Samar, and when the typhoon hit the power supply to Bohol was cut. This further affected the humanitarian response to the Bohol earthquake. The cut in power to parts of the island over several weeks and in some areas months disrupted the emergency health response. This included cutting the cold chain once again which prevented health workers carrying out vaccination campaigns. In response to the specific issue of the cold chain, the WHO provided more cold chain equipment and generators to restore the vaccination program.
Now, six months after the earthquake, the WHO continues to aid the recovery of the health system in the region. A key priority is to increase the capacity of health workers in the region. WHO is supporting training for local health workers to handle a range of issues including essential care to mothers and new born babies; managing childhood illnesses; responding to mental health issues; and improvement of disease surveillance. These areas are critical concerns in any emergency. Building local capacity in these areas will help prepare these communities to respond to future emergencies.
Even though there is still extensive work to be done, WHO staff remain optimistic that the island is on its way to recovery six months after the disaster.
“We have been very proud to work alongside the Department of Health and other health cluster partners in the response to the earthquake on Bohol. It was a devastating tragedy for the communities affected and it has taken a lot of hard work by all involved in the face of further setbacks following Typhoon Yolanda. WHO is helping the island of Bohol to restore its health service for all the affected communities and we look forward to continuing this vital work,” said Dr. Ben Lane.