Regional Director opening remarks at Regional press briefing on Sudan
20 April 2023 – We are all aware of the horrific situation currently unfolding in Sudan. Since April 15th, almost 330 people have died and almost 3200 more injured as a result of fighting between government and armed opposition forces in Khartoum and a number of other states, including Darfur States. Movement in Khartoum is restricted due to the...
Regional Director statement on attacks on health care in Sudan
Cairo, Egypt, 18 April 2023 – WHO strongly condemns reported attacks on health personnel, health facilities, and ambulances in Sudan. These attacks, which appear to be increasing in number, have already led to at least three people killed and two injured. Moreover, they limit access to live saving health care, putting more lives at risk. Reports...
WHO calls for protection of health workers and patients and unrestricted access to health care in Sudan
16 April 2023 – As fighting continues in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan, the World Health Organization urges all parties to the conflict to respect the neutrality of health care and ensure unrestricted access to health facilities for those injured by the hostilities. WHO reminds all parties of their obligations under International Humanitarian Law to...
800 000 children to be vaccinated against measles and polio across earthquake-stricken northwest Syria
Cairo/Amman, 7 April 2023 – A measles and polio vaccination campaign will launch tomorrow across northwest Syria to protect some 800 000 children under 5 years of age from 2 deadly but preventable diseases. The vaccination drive, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), in coordination with local...
Eight years of prolonged conflict in Yemen leave over 20 million people in need of urgent health assistance
Cairo, 25 March 2023 – With 8 years of protracted conflict and humanitarian crisis, over two thirds of Yemen’s population – 21.6 million people – are in acute need of humanitarian assistance, including over 20 million people requiring urgent health assistance. The country’s health system continues to fall short of meeting the population’s needs. Only 54% of...
WHO and Ministry of Health collaborate to enhance Syria’s medical supply chain
21 March 2023, Damascus, Syria - The World Health Organization (WHO) has partnered with the Ministry of Health in Syria to hold a workshop, which, starting yesterday, aims to assess the national medical supply chain. This critical initiative will review essential processes, analyse distribution mechanisms and provide strategic solutions to...
WHO calls on global community to stand by Syria at Brussels donor conference
20 March 2023 – Ahead of today’s Donors Conference held in Brussels to raise funds and coordinate relief response in the areas affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, WHO is calling on the international community to support lifesaving health response activities for the 4.9 million people most severely impacted out of the 8.8 million affected...
Third Scientific Conference and sixth EMARIS meeting on acute respiratory infections in the Region concludes in Muscat
18 March 2023 – Focusing on better preparedness, early detection, rapid response, and enhanced research for respiratory diseases, the Third Scientific Conference and the sixth EMARIS meeting on acute respiratory infections in the Eastern Mediterranean Region concluded in Muscat, Oman. Serving as a platform to showcase partnership and solidarity,...
Second high-level interregional meeting on the health of refugees and migrants
Sharm El Sheikh, 18 March 2023 – Amid the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes in the Syrian Arab Republic and Türkiye over a month ago, as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine now past its one-year mark, 3 WHO regional offices this week brought together governments, civil society and health partners in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, for the second...
Syria: the time is now
15 March 2023 – It took the massive deadly earthquake of 6 February 2023 for the global community to remember Syria, this beautiful country with its ancient civilization that has given so much to the world. The Syrian people, however, have been enduring crises and hardships of all kinds since the conflict erupted 12 years ago today. Despite their...
