TRAVEL REPORT SUMMARY/

REPORT COVER PAGE

Submitted by:

Programme Classification/Registry file number(s):

Randy H. Grodman

SDE/ADGO

04/02/2005

(Name)

(Cluster/Dept)

(Date)

Visit to:

Maldives (9-28 January 2005)

Indicate clearly name and location of project(s), meeting(s), etc

Inclusive travel dates:

Co-traveller(s):

07/01/2005

01/02/2005

(From)

(To)

Name(s)/Cluster(s)/Department(s)

Purpose/Objective of travel:

To assist the WHO office in the Maldives with donor, media and NGO relations in the context of WHO's post-tsunami work in the country.  Meetings with representatives of donor agencies; drafting of documents to be provided to donors, the Government of Maldives and the media; ascertaining the health sector activities undertaken in the Maldives by UN agencies and NGOs; visits to affected islands to determine the health situation and needs; and arranging a press briefing for RD/SEARO and WR/Maldives.

Specify the type of work which had to be accomplished

Brief summary:

      Visited five (5) affected islands and briefed WR/Maldives on key findings;

      Drafted WHO comments and suggested modifications to the health sector sections of the World Bank / Asian Development Bank / UN System Needs Assessment provided to the Government of the Maldives;

      Reviewed and edited sections of the WHO/Maldives proposal for the Flash Appeal;

      Arranged and participated in meetings with donor agencies (USAID, DFID, German Red Cross);

      Drafted Situation Reports on the major events and issues as they unfolded in the Maldives;

      Participated in Aid Coordination & Management meetings run by the Government of Maldives, as well as United Nations Country Team meetings;

      Liaised with Oxfam, Save the Children and Technisches Hilfswerk (THW of the German Government);

      Organized a press briefing by the RD/SEARO and WR/Maldives with AP and the local press);

      Provided input for the HQ and SEARO websites (human interest story, photographs, and editing of text);

      Drafted text for inclusion in SEARO press releases;

      Initiated recruitment process for a Communications Officer (advertised in local newspapers, screened candidates' CVs and interviewed the top-ranked candidate, and summarized status of applications).

Recommendation(s)/Action to be taken:

Distribution:

      The Communications Officer (to be recruited) should maintain relations with various UN agencies (especially UNICEF and UNFPA), donor and NGO representatives, the MOH and other government agencies, and the local press.  In addition, he/she should ensure that the Maldives-related information on the HQ, SEARO and WHO/Maldives websites is up-to-date and accurate.

      Continued monitoring of the health situation in the affected islands is essential, particularly for issues of key interest to WHO (epidemiology, environment, water and sanitation, food safety, etc.).

      It is vital that the activities and disbursements of WHO/Maldives be carefully documented, and that it is recognized by donors, the media and others that WHO is playing a key role in improving the health situation in the Maldives.

Tsunami Operations, SEARO, HAC, ADG/SDE

Travel Report Summaries shall be prepared within one week after completion of a trip.  A copy of this form will serve as Report Cover Page if detailed travel report is prepared subsequently.