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Statement by WHO's Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean on the 10th year of the Syria crisis
15 March 2021 – Exactly 10 years after the conflict in Syria began, new challenges have emerged, perpetuating the suffering of Syrian people already exhausted by the ongoing conflict, violence, political fragility, and the burden of unmet socioeconomic needs. COVID-19 and the regional economic crisis have brought further devastation to...
Canada and WHO join efforts to strengthen newborn health in Tunisia in the context of COVID-19
Tunisia, 15 March 2021 – With support from the Government of Canada, WHO is working to strengthen newborn health care in Tunisia as part of its ongoing work in the area of reproductive health. This critical support of 500 000 Canadian dollars will boost efforts to strengthen capacity-building for health workers using specialized medical equipment for...
First shipment of European Union-funded COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX Facility arrives in Jordan
Amman, 13 March 2021 – On 12 March, Jordan received the first shipment of 144 000 doses of the AstraZeneca/SK Bioscience COVID-19 vaccine from COVAX Facility at Queen Alia International Airport, in Amman. COVAX is a global facility representing partnership between the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi- the Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) and the...
First COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Djibouti
Djibouti second country in the Middle East and North Africa region to receive COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility Djibouti 6 March 2021 – Djibouti is the second country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, to receive vaccines against COVID-19 following the arrival of a first shipment of AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India...
Sudan receives first delivery of COVID-19 vaccines with over 800 000 doses
Sudan becomes first country in the Middle East and North Africa to receive vaccines via the COVAX Facility Initial doses to health care workers and people above 45 with chronic medical conditions KHARTOUM, 3 March 2021 – Sudan is the first country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to receive vaccines against COVID-19 following the arrival...
WHO Regional Director's statement for virtual press briefing, 15 February
15 February 2021 – More than one year after the first case of COVID-19 was reported in our Region, the situation remains critical. Almost six million people have been infected, and almost 140,000 people have tragically died. In our Region, where people and health systems are constantly ravaged by conflict, natural disasters, and disease...
Occupied Palestinian territory and Tunisia notified of indicative allocation of COVID-19 vaccine doses during first half of 2021 via COVAX Facility
Cairo, 14 February 2021 – The COVAX Facility, a global coalition that works to ensure fair and equitable access of vaccines for COVID-19 around the world, has notified health authorities in the occupied Palestinian territory and Tunisia of their allocation of COVID-19 vaccines as part of the first wave of deliveries to countries in the Eastern...
Glimmer of hope: COVID-19 vaccines roll out in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Syrian refugees in Jordan are vaccinated against COVID-19. Photo: WHO/Banan Saad 8 February 2021 – While 2020 was a unique and challenging year for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2021 has provided a glimmer of hope as vaccines for COVID-19 are rolled out. As part of the COVAX Facility – a global mechanism led by WHO, Gavi and the Coalition for...
King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre supports infection prevention and control programme in Sindh Province, Pakistan
3 February 2021 – A HIV outbreak in Larkana, Sindh province, Pakistan, in April 2019 resulted in 803 people contracting HIV, as reported in June 2019. The outbreak investigation conducted by WHO and international partners showed that the outbreak was the result of poor infection, prevention control measures, risky injection practices and...
Health care workers in the time of COVID-19, stories of heroes, part 2
Cairo, 3 February 2021- COVID-19 has affected the lives and health of millions of people around the world. The physical and mental toll for many health workers is unprecedented. Many health care workers on the front lines have lost their lives, while other have lost friends and colleagues. “The unspoken question is, who is going to be next?” says a...
