WHO warns conflict escalation worsening health crisis in region

2026-03-07 - 16:18

Cairo, Egypt – More than 115mn people across the Eastern Mediterranean Region require humanitarian assistance, highlighting the scale of the health crisis even before the latest escalation of hostilities, according to the World Health Organization. In a briefing on Thursday, Hanan Balkhy, Regional Director of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, said the region currently faces 14 WHO-graded health emergencies, including seven at the highest level. Around 80mn people are experiencing food insecurity, while 40 disease outbreaks are active. The recent escalation has further strained fragile health systems. In the past few days, more than 1,200 people have reportedly been killed and over 7,000 injured. Hospitals are handling a surge in trauma cases while dealing with supply disruptions, risks to staff and reduced access to healthcare. In Iran, authorities reported more than 1,000 deaths and over 6,100 injuries. Fourteen attacks on healthcare facilities have been recorded since February 28. Hospitals remain operational and emergency trauma capacity has been expanded, with WHO pre-positioning medical supplies in Tehran. The humanitarian situation is also deteriorating in Lebanon (683 injuries, 123 deaths and over 96,000 displaced) and Gaza Strip, where health services face shortages of medicines, fuel and essential supplies. WHO estimates that US$690mn will be required to sustain its emergency operations in the region in 2026, although the response remains around 70% underfunded.