Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, spoke during a press briefing about emergencies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Lebanon, but also in war-torn Sudan and beyond.
She also maintained the critical role played by the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA in Gaza and appealed for peace.
“We urge immediate and sustained ceasefires in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon and Sudan, and unfettered access to deliver life-saving aid” she said.
The Gaza conflict is escalating
Dr. Balkhy reported that since her last briefing “the conflict we feared would escalate has intensifiedleading to a devastating deterioration in the Middle East”.
Food security experts have warned of imminent famine in northern Gaza, with 15 UN agency chiefs describing the situation there as “apocalyptic”, but “tragically nothing has changed – and perhaps only got worse,” she added.
“In the midst of this merciless violence, we work tirelessly to keep hospitals operating and evacuate patients in need of specialized care” she said.
‘Really no safe place in Gaza’
Indeed, WHO and 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, most of whom went to the UAE.
“WHO has consistently advocated medical evacuation throughout the hostilities,” she said, noting that the trauma and emotional toll of the conflict is immeasurable.
In the past three weeks, WHO and partners have conducted seven missions to northern Gaza, including five to Kamal Adwan Hospital. More missions were planned but not facilitated.
Teams delivered essential medical and surgical supplies to sustain hospital operations, but on one occasion “the heavy bombardment continued close to where our teams were delivering aid,” she said, stressing that “there really is no safe place in Gaza.”
Polio campaign success
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”.
She said the campaign succeeded against unimaginable odds, with planned humanitarian breaks significantly curtailed, which speaks to the incredible courage of polio teams, parents and carers.
UNRWA staff were central to the recent polio vaccination efforts in Gaza.
No compensation for UNRWA
She added that it was not possible to discuss Gaza without acknowledging the indispensable role of UNRWA in providing critical services.
“As the Director-General of the World Health Organization has emphasized, there is no substitute for UNRWA,” she said.
“I would like to take this moment to recognize the dedication of UNRWA staff — health and humanitarian professionals working tirelessly for their communities under unimaginable circumstances. Our work and the work 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 disturbing”, she said, and the WHO has confirmed 103 attacks on healthcare since October 8, 2023.
She reported that today 17 hospitals have either suspended operations or are only partially functioning due to insecurity or damage. In areas of active hostilities, some 127 primary health centers and dispensaries, nearly 60 percent, have been forced to close.
“We cannot and must not allow this to become the norm.”
She added that in preparation for the heavy burden of traumatic injuries, more than 5,500 health workers across more than 112 hospitals have received training in mass casualty management and psychological first aid.
WHO has also delivered 124 tons of medical supplies to Lebanon, including a three-month stock of blood bank supplies and trauma kits to 45 priority hospitals.
Ceasefires and protection
Mrs. Balkhy confirmed the WHO’s “key issues” 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,” she 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 stand with us in our humanitarian mission to serve them.”
Sigrid Kaag UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, meets displaced people in Gaza City.
Kaag visits displacement center
In connection with the development, the UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and Reconstruction in Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, visited a large UNRWA displacement center in western Gaza City on Saturday.
The senior official met families uprooted by the war and observed their living conditions.
Mrs. Kaag visited one of the medical clinics run by UNRWA in the displacement center and spoke with children and families seeking medical treatment.
She also visited two prominent Christian houses of worship in Gaza City, the Orthodox Church and the Latin Convent, and met displaced families who live there.
