Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, was speaking at a press briefing on emergencies in the occupied Palestinian territory and Lebanon, but also in war-ravaged Sudan and beyond.
She also supported the crucial role of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, in Gaza and called for peace.
“We urgently call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon and Sudan, as well as unhindered access to the delivery of life-saving aid.“, she said.
Intensification of the conflict in Gaza
Dr Balkhy reported that since his last briefing “the conflict that we feared would escalate has intensifiedleading to a devastating deterioration in the Middle East.”
Food security experts have warned of a looming famine in northern Gaza, where 15 heads of UN agencies have described the situation as “apocalyptic”, but “tragically, nothing has changed – and no “Maybe it just got worse,” she added.
“In the midst of this incessant violence, we work around the clock to keep hospitals operational and evacuate patients in need of specialized care“, she said.
“There is really no safe place in Gaza”
In fact, WHO and partners facilitated the largest medical evacuation from Gaza since the start of the conflict, transporting 90 patients and 139 companions to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Romania, most to the UAE.
“WHO has consistently advocated for medical evacuations throughout hostilities,” she said, emphasizing that the trauma and emotional toll of the conflict are immeasurable.
Over the past three weeks, WHO and partners have carried out seven missions to northern Gaza, including five to Kamal Adwan Hospital. Several other missions were planned but were not facilitated.
The teams delivered critical medical and surgical supplies to support hospital operations, but at one point, “heavy shelling continued near where our teams were delivering aid,” he said. -she declared, emphasizing that “there is really no safe place in Gaza.”
Successful polio campaign
Dr Balkhy also highlighted the completion of the second round of a massive campaign to vaccinate Gaza’s young children against polio, calling it a “tremendous achievement”.
She said the campaign had succeeded against unimaginable odds, with planned humanitarian pauses significantly reduced, a testament to the incredible courage of polio teams, parents and caregivers.
UNRWA personnel played a central role in the recent polio vaccination campaign in Gaza.
No substitute for UNRWA
She added that it was not possible to discuss Gaza without recognizing the indispensable role of UNRWA in providing essential services.
“As the Director-General of the World Health Organization has emphasized, there is no substitute for UNRWA,” she said.
“I want to take this moment to recognize the dedication of UNRWA staff. — healthcare and humanitarian professionals working tirelessly for their communities in unimaginable circumstances. Our work and that 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 distressing,” she said, and the WHO has verified 103 attacks on healthcare since October 8, 2023.
She said that to date, 17 hospitals have ceased operations or are only partially functioning due to insecurity or damage. In areas of active hostilities, around 127 primary health care centers and dispensaries, or nearly 60 percent, have been forced to close.
“We cannot – and must not – allow this to become a norm. »
She added that in anticipation of the heavy burden of traumatic injuries, more than 5,500 health workers in over 112 hospitals have received training in mass casualty management and psychological first aid.
WHO also delivered 124 tonnes of medical supplies to Lebanon, including a three-month stock of blood bank supplies and trauma kits for 45 priority hospitals.
Ceasefire and protection
Ms Balkhy reaffirmed the WHO’s “key demands” for the region, including the call for immediate ceasefires.
“We demand the protection of civilians, health professionals 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 territories, Somalia and Sudan – and stand with us in our humanitarian mission to serve them. »
Sigrid Kaag, UN Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, meets with displaced people in Gaza City.
Kaag visits a center for displaced people
In related news, the UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and Reconstruction in Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, visited a major UNRWA displacement center in western Gaza City on Saturday.
The senior official met families uprooted by the war and observed their living conditions.
Ms. Kaag visited one of the UNRWA-run medical clinics within the displacement center, catering to children and families seeking medical care.
She also visited two important Christian places of worship in Gaza City, the Orthodox Church and the Latin Monastery Church, meeting with displaced families who have found shelter there.
