## A Region Under Strain: Navigating Intertwined Health Crises The Eastern Mediterranean Region is currently grappling with a severe combination of humanitarian crises, natural disasters, and widespread disease outbreaks, placing immense pressure on already fragile health systems. A recent situation report from the World Health Organization (WHO) for July 2026 paints a vivid picture of these challenges, from the immediate aftermath of devastating floods and ongoing conflicts to the persistent threat of infectious diseases. These interconnected emergencies demand a comprehensive and coordinated response to safeguard public health and rebuild affected communities. ## Double Trouble: Natural Disasters and Conflict's Health Toll July 2026 witnessed significant humanitarian impacts from both environmental disasters and persistent conflict. Monsoon rains and flash floods swept across Afghanistan and Pakistan, leading to a tragic loss of 184 lives and leaving 597 people injured. Beyond the immediate casualties, critical infrastructure such as homes, water and sanitation systems, and vital health facilities suffered extensive damage. This destruction not only amplified public health risks but also severely hampered access to care in various parts of Afghanistan. The WHO quickly deployed emergency teams and essential supplies, while also pre-positioning resources in Pakistan to support over 380,000 individuals in preparation for potential further impacts. Meanwhile, the shadow of conflict continued to loom large across the region. Lebanon reported staggering figures of 4,335 deaths and 12,281 injuries since March 2nd, highlighting the prolonged intensity of the violence. Attacks in the Islamic Republic of Iran between late June and late July resulted in 59 fatalities and more than 666 injuries. Airstrikes in Iraq on July 29th reportedly caused around 20 deaths and 32 injuries. Southern Syria continued to experience localized violence, population displacement, and restricted access to aid. Even countries like Qatar and Kuwait felt the ripple effects, with Qatar reporting injuries from falling debris and Kuwait experiencing disruptions to its energy and water infrastructure. In response, the WHO significantly bolstered trauma readiness, providing training to 5,400 hospital staff in Lebanon and supplying crucial trauma resources to Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Recognizing the profound psychological toll, mental health and psychosocial support programs reached approximately 15,000 health workers in Iran. A particularly concerning aspect of the ongoing conflicts was the documented attacks on healthcare. In July alone, 19 such incidents were recorded across four countries in the region, accounting for over half of the 36 global incidents reported worldwide. These attacks led to three deaths and 15 injuries, directly impacting health personnel, patients, medical facilities, transport, supplies, and warehouses, underscoring the critical need to protect healthcare in conflict zones. ## The Silent Enemy: Battling Disease Outbreaks Amidst the crises, several countries are battling a range of disease outbreaks. Sudan faces a particularly dire situation with concurrent outbreaks of cholera, dengue fever, malaria, measles, diphtheria, and polio. Cholera, a severe bacterial infection causing extreme dehydration, remains a significant concern, especially in the Kordofan region, where damaged water and sanitation infrastructure following floods can accelerate its spread. Somalia reported approximately 15,800 cases of cholera or acute watery diarrhoea in the first 30 weeks of the year, with a worrying increase in cases towards the end of July. The country also reported around 2,200 diphtheria cases, a serious bacterial infection that can cause severe breathing difficulties and heart damage, with a concerning case fatality rate of 3.0%. A staggering 67% of these cases occurred among unvaccinated individuals, and 18% among those incompletely vaccinated, highlighting critical vaccination gaps. Iraq continues to experience seasonal transmission of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a viral disease transmitted by ticks and through contact with infected animal blood or tissues, which can be severe and life-threatening. In Syria, suspected measles cases saw a notable 53% decline from week 29 to week 30, following the launch of a measles-rubella vaccination campaign in eight priority districts, which reached about 199,000 children (77% coverage). However, gaps in disease surveillance persist, making comprehensive monitoring challenging. An outbreak of acute gastroenteritis or acute watery diarrhoea in Masyaf also showed a decrease after targeted response measures were implemented. ## Beyond the Numbers: Displacement, Climate Change, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) The interwoven challenges of displacement, climate change, and inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure are exacerbating public health risks. Floods in Sudan affected 11,837 people across seven states, damaging homes and vital WASH and health facilities. Somalia recorded 146,447 new displacements by the end of June, primarily driven by conflict (68%) and drought (28%), creating crowded living conditions that are ripe for disease transmission. In Lebanon, as of late July, 360,132 people remained internally displaced, with a significant number seeking refuge in collective sites, while 821,077 had started the arduous journey of returning home. In Iraq, extreme summer temperatures combined with large population movements during the Arbaeen pilgrimage significantly increased the risks of heat-related illnesses and communicable diseases. ## Struggling Systems: Challenges to Health Access and Functionality Across the region, health systems are struggling to cope under immense pressure. Sudan faces critical shortages of essential medicines, emergency kits, laboratory reagents, and medical consumables. Furthermore, ongoing electricity, water, and communications outages severely hinder healthcare delivery. Somalia's health sector appeal remains significantly underfunded, with only 21% (US$17 million out of US$80 million) received. This severe funding gap has led to the closure of many health facilities, including an estimated 33% in South-West State, and the attrition of valuable healthcare workers. Syria continues to face systemic gaps in referral transport for patients, a shortage of trained healthcare personnel, limited laboratory capacity, challenges in transporting samples for testing, and incomplete surveillance data, all of which compromise effective disease control and patient care. ## WHO's Lifeline: Coordinated Response and Preparedness The World Health Organization continues to be a crucial lifeline, implementing a wide array of response and preparedness actions across the affected countries. In Sudan, WHO supported health services through 14 hospitals, four primary health care facilities, 18 mobile clinics, and 27 stabilization centers for severe acute malnutrition. These temporary mobile clinics alone provided 113,849 consultations in July. WHO also delivered over 20 metric tonnes of emergency supplies and supported the treatment of 2,631 children under five with severe acute malnutrition and medical complications. In Lebanon, a coordinated response reached an estimated 1.2 million people by the end of July, encompassing over 485,000 health interventions and more than 1.3 million through vital water, sanitation, and hygiene support. For Iran, WHO procured essential trauma supplies and hospital power equipment, alongside critical mental health and psychosocial support for approximately 15,000 health workers. In Syria, WHO dispatched nearly 700 metric tonnes of medical, laboratory, and WASH supplies and launched the critical Phase I of the measles-rubella vaccination campaign. Ebola preparedness remains a high priority for high-risk countries in the region. An assessment in Somalia identified existing preparedness capacities in some laboratories and cross-border operations, but also highlighted gaps in overall operational readiness, coordination, and testing capabilities. To address this, laboratory supplies were delivered to Somalia, Sudan, and Djibouti. In Iraq, preparedness efforts for the Arbaeen pilgrimage included Ebola control guidance, strengthened points of entry, and orientation for 50 focal points, underscoring proactive measures against potential outbreaks. Furthermore, WHO's Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics played a vital role, delivering nearly US$625,400 worth of medicines and health supplies to 10 countries in July. Despite the pervasive regional conflict, the Hub remarkably maintained 60–70% of its pre-crisis operational volume by utilizing overland corridors through Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, and Türkiye, demonstrating resilience in supply chain management. In Somalia, WHO sustained primary healthcare through 33 facilities and reinforced 41 stabilization centers with pediatric severe acute malnutrition kits. In Iraq, 65 trauma backpacks were provided to bolster pre-hospital emergency response, complementing Arbaeen preparedness. Jordan also received continued support for emergency readiness and the continuity of essential health services. ## Looking Ahead: Building Resilience in a Complex Region The Eastern Mediterranean Region faces a multifaceted and evolving health crisis. The interplay of natural disasters, protracted conflicts, and persistent disease outbreaks creates a complex humanitarian landscape. The dedicated efforts of the WHO and its partners, from delivering emergency supplies and providing life-saving medical care to strengthening public health surveillance and preparedness, are critical. These ongoing actions are not just about immediate relief but also about building long-term resilience within health systems and communities, ensuring that even amidst profound adversity, essential health services can continue to reach those most in need.