13 January 2016, Cairo, Egypt – Yemen’s Minister of Public Health and Population Dr Nasir Baoum and WHO’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Ala Alwan met today to discuss the humanitarian and health situation in Yemen.  “The situation in Yemen is critical. Hospitals, laboratories, blood banks and other health facilities are...

7 January 2016, Sana’a, Yemen – The World Health Organization is concerned about the deteriorating health situation in Taiz, where more than 250 000 people have been living in a state of virtual siege since November 2015. All of city's 6 hospitals have been forced to partially close some services, and are overwhelmed with injured patients....

24 December 2015, Sana’a, Yemen -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered more than 100 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies for more than one million beneficiaries in 8 districts of Taiz governorate, where more than 3 million people, including 392,000 internally displaced persons, are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. The health...

Geneva, 15 December 2015 – The World Health Organization and health partners are appealing for US$ 31 million to ensure the continuity of health services for nearly 15 million people in Yemen affected by the ongoing conflict.  Funding is urgently needed as the Yemeni health system has collapsed, leaving millions of vulnerable people without the...

5 December 2015 -- As people and communities around the world celebrate Patient Solidarity Day, on 5 December, under the theme ‘health care as a human right’, countries are being reminded that health care is a fundamental human right and that everyone should have fair and equitable access to good quality health services, wherever they are and...

3 December 2015 – The findings World Health Organization’s (WHO) estimates of the global burden of foodborne diseases — the most comprehensive report to date on the impact of contaminated food on health and well-being are announced today in Geneva. The report, which estimates the burden of foodborne diseases caused by 31 agents — bacteria,...

30 November 2015 – The World Health Organization (WHO) calls upon decision-makers in health to “put commitment into action” in bringing treatment to all people living with HIV. HIV treatment with antiretroviral medicines is life-saving. Early start of treatment improves the quality of life and longevity of people living with HIV. In addition,...

On the occasion of the first World Antibiotics Awareness Week, from 16 to 22 November 2015, the findings of a new WHO multi-country survey on antibiotic resistance are released showing that most people are confused about this major threat to public health and do not understand how to stop it from growing. Almost two thirds (64%) of some 10 000...

Baghdad, 12 November 2015 – This week, the Government of Iraq, with the support of WHO and UNICEF, completed the first round of the oral cholera vaccination campaign. The campaign has vaccinated 91% of the targeted population of 255 000 Syrian refugees and internally displaced Iraqis across 62 refugee and internally displaced persons camps in 13...

27 October 2015, Kabul, Afghanistan – Following the major 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck northern Afghanistan and Pakistan on 26 October, WHO is working closely with national health authorities in both countries to support emergency health services and rapidly assess the full extent of the health impact on affected populations. To support...