Statement on the occasion of the Eid al-Adha feast by Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean
18 July 2021 - As we approach the Eid al-Adha feast, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my brothers and sisters in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and beyond a blessed, safe, and healthy Eid. Over the past 19 months, our lives have changed in ways we never could have imagined. As individuals, communities, countries, and as...
COVID-19 situation critical in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region
13 July 2021 – After a decline in COVID-19 cases and deaths across WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region for 8 consecutive weeks, several countries are seeing a significant increase in new cases and deaths. Significant increases in COVID-19 cases have been reported from Libya, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, and Tunisia. Lebanon and Morocco have...
Bahrain successfully vaccinates almost 70% of population with 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine
13 July 2021 – More than one million people in Bahrain have received 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, ensuring that almost 70% of the population is now provided with an additional layer of protection against the virus. The vaccines were provided to people in the country free of charge and regardless of their citizenship status, in line with WHO’s...
WHO joins World Mask Week to keep the world safe from COVID-19
World Mask Week is a global movement to emphasize the critical role of continued masking in reaching the end of the COVID-19 pandemic 12 July 2021, Cairo — WHO’s Easter Mediterranean Region has joined forces with the Pandemic Action Network and partners in support of World Mask Week, July 12-18, 2021. Masking in public, particularly, in crowded...
WHO welcomes extension of UN Security Council Resolution 2165 for cross-border aid into northwest Syria
11 July 2021 – WHO welcomes the extension of UN Security Council Resolution 2165 for cross-border aid into northwest Syria for an additional 6 months, with the proposed extension of a further 6 months subject to the Secretary General’s report. The continuation of this large, UN-led humanitarian operation is vital to reach those most in need. WHO...
Regional Director’s statement on COVID-19 in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region, 7 July 2021
7 July 2021 – In the Eastern Mediterranean Region today, cases of COVID-19 are on the rise after 2 months of steady decline, and we are once again seeing countries struggling to contain infection and protect their populations, while at the same time keeping their borders open and their economies active. As we continue into the summer months, we are...
Update on COVID-19 in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region
24 June 2021 – I would like to welcome you all to this virtual media briefing on the COVID-19 situation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. We are glad to have with us today, Dr Hany Jokhdar, Deputy Minister of Health of Saudi Arabia, and Dr Ibrahim El-Ziq, WHO Representative in Saudi Arabia, to discuss the preparations for this year's hajj...
Statement on the renewal of humanitarian lifeline to millions of people in north-west Syria
Rome/Geneva/New York, 18 June 2021 – Millions of people are pressed up against the border in an active war zone in north-west Syria and remain in need of humanitarian aid to survive. The UN needs cross-border and cross-line access to reach those most in need. We call for the renewal of Security Council authorization for cross-border operations...
WHO opens country office in Kuwait
Kuwait City/Cairo/Geneva, 15 June 2021 – The World Health Organization (WHO) today opened a country office in Kuwait in a move set to strengthen its presence and cooperation with the Government to advance the health and well-being of the country’s population. The newly established office will enable WHO to work on the ground with national health...
WHO condemns attacks on hospital in Afrin, northwest Syria
13 June 2021 – The World Health Organization (WHO) forcefully condemns the attack on a hospital in Afrin, northwest Syria, on 12 June. According to reports, the hospital was struck by artillery shells on Saturday evening killing at least 13 people, including one physician, other health workers, and 2 children. Twenty-three (23) people were also...