March 2026: The World Health Organization’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr Hanan Balkhy, has expressed deep concern over the rapid escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, warning of severe consequences for an already fragile region.
In a statement, she said the region has been shaped by years of conflict, displacement and underfunded health systems, and cautioned that further violence will not only claim lives directly but also push strained health systems closer to collapse. She noted that disruptions to essential services could intensify and trauma could deepen across generations.
Dr Balkhy urged all parties to exercise immediate restraint and de-escalate, stressing that the protection of civilians, health workers and health facilities is an obligation under international humanitarian law.
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