Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, spoke during a press conference about emergencies in the occupied Palestinian territory and Lebanon, but also in war-torn Sudan and beyond.
He also defended the vital role of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, in Gaza, and appealed for peace.
“We urgently call for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon and Sudan, and for unimpeded access to deliver vital aid.“, said.
Escalation of the conflict in Gaza
Dr. Balkhy reported that since her last briefing “The conflict we feared would escalate has escalated.causing devastating deterioration in the Middle East.”
Food security experts have warned of an imminent famine in northern Gaza, where 15 UN agency heads have described the situation there as “apocalyptic”, however, “tragically, nothing has changed and perhaps it has only gotten worse.” “he added.
“In the midst of this relentless violence, We are working tirelessly to keep hospitals operational and evacuate patients who need specialized care.“, said.
“There really is no safe place in Gaza”
In fact, WHO and its partners facilitated the largest medical evacuation from Gaza since the conflict began, transporting 90 patients and 139 companions to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Romania, and the majority to the UAE.
“The WHO has consistently advocated for medical evacuations during hostilities,” he said, noting that the trauma and emotional toll of the conflict are immeasurable.
In the past three weeks, WHO and its partners have completed seven missions to northern Gaza, including five to Kamal Adwan Hospital. Several more missions were planned, but not facilitated.
Teams delivered essential medical and surgical supplies to sustain hospital operations, but on one occasion “heavy shelling continued near where our teams were delivering aid,” he said, stressing that “There really is no safe place in Gaza..”
Success of the campaign against polio
Dr. Balkhy also highlighted the completion of the second round of a massive campaign to vaccinate young children in Gaza against polio, calling it “a tremendous achievement.”
He said the campaign was successful despite unimaginable difficulties, with planned humanitarian pauses significantly reduced, speaking to the incredible bravery of polio teams, parents and carers.
UNRWA staff were instrumental in the recent polio vaccination campaign in Gaza.
There is no substitute for UNRWA
He added that it was not possible to talk about Gaza without recognizing UNRWA's indispensable role in providing critical services.
“As the Director-General of the World Health Organization has stressed, there is no substitute for UNRWA,” he said.
“I want to take this moment to recognize the dedication of UNRWA staff. — health professionals and humanitarians working tirelessly for their communities under unimaginable circumstances. Our work and that of other humanitarian partners in the Occupied Palestinian Territory would not be possible without them.”
'Systemic disruption' in Lebanon
Meanwhile, the situation in Lebanon is “equally worrying,” he said, and the WHO has verified 103 attacks on healthcare since October 8, 2023.
He reported that as of today, 17 hospitals have ceased operations or are only partially functioning due to insecurity or damage. In areas of active hostilities, approximately 127 primary health care centers and clinics, almost 60 percent, have been forced to close.
“We cannot – and must not – allow this to become a norm.”
He added that in preparation for the heavy burden of traumatic injuries, more than 5,500 health workers in more than 112 hospitals have received training in mass casualty management and psychological first aid.
WHO has also delivered 124 metric tons of medical supplies to Lebanon, including three months' worth of supplies for blood banks and trauma kits for 45 priority hospitals.
Ceasefire and protection
Ms Balkhy reaffirmed WHO's “key requests” for the region, including the call for an immediate ceasefire.
“We demand the protection of civilians, health workers and health facilities at all times, in all countries facing humanitarian and health emergencies,” he continued.
“And we ask that the world remember every community in need – from Afghanistan to Syria, Yemen, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Somalia and Sudan – and join us in our humanitarian mission to serve them.”
Sigrid Kaag, United Nations Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, meets with displaced people in Gaza City.
Kaag visits the center for displaced people
In related developments, UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and Reconstruction in Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, visited a major UNRWA displacement center in western Gaza City on Saturday.
The senior official met with families uprooted by the war and observed their living conditions.
Ms. Kaag visited one of the UNRWA-run medical clinics inside the displaced center and spoke to children and families seeking medical treatment.
He also visited two prominent Christian places of worship in Gaza City, the Orthodox Church and the Latin Monastery Church, and met with displaced families taking refuge there.
