World Health Organization

Sudan / 6 December 2010. Nyala: After months of preparations, 1,500 residents of Kalma camp (in Nyala, South Darfur) for internally displaced persons (IDPs) began to return to their homes of origin in West Darfur. This is the first government owned operation with the assistance of UN Agencies in the area. The IDPs will return to Tandusa, Andi, Gido, Sullu and Urum villages in West Darfur located about 90 and 150 kilometers south of El Geneina town. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) distributed non food items including blankets, jerricans and sleeping mats to each household to use on the journey. The World Health Organization (WHO) in coordination with the Ministry of Health conducted medical screening to all residents scheduled to travel to check their fitness level. The first 84 IDPs left Nyala for Tandusa village on Sunday 5 December and on Tuesday 7 December 350 Individuals more departed for Andi and Gido villages. The exercise is expected to conclude on Sunday 12 December. Photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran / UNAMID

Founded in 1948, World Health Organization (WHO) is mandated to prevent and eradicate epidemics and to improve the nutritional, sanitary, hygienic and environmental conditions of people around the world.

In 1997, in an effort to increase cooperation, UNHCR and WHO agreed on a series of shared objectives relating to refugees, returnees and, where appropriate, internally displaced persons.

They include reducing the mortality, disease, and disability rates among refugees; providing refugees with adequate, timely, and cost effective health services; co-ordinating health and nutritional policies to achieve globally accepted standards; and helping returnees to reintegrate into their local communities.

In addition, the two UN agencies agreed to anticipate and address the health needs of refugees both at the national and international level by working closely with non-governmental organizations and other groups.

WHO also sends doctors and other health professionals to UNHCR operations and supports the refugee agency, governments, and other institutions in the co-ordination of humanitarian health programmes. The two organizations jointly consult with host governments and donors to determine health measures for beneficiaries within the context of ongoing national development efforts.