Libya: “A disaster of epic proportions”
Two weeks after Storm Daniel struck Libya, the scale of the damage is almost indescribable. The floods that followed left in their muddy wake a humanitarian crisis on a massive scale, particularly in Derna. An estimated 30 million cubic metres of water came roaring through the city when 2 dams in the nearby mountains collapsed. The torrent of water levelled entire city blocks and swept away whole families.
Critical infrastructure has been destroyed or damaged, affecting health, electricity, roads, telecommunications and other services. This latest catastrophe adds enormous pressure to Libya’s already fragile and severel...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 28, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Humanitarians of the EMR: meet the heroes powering our emergency response
My name is Dr Fares Kady, and I currently serve as the head of the WHO sub-office in Aleppo, Syria. My journey began in the last century – when I volunteered with the Red Cross/Red Crescent in 1998 – then on to the international NGO field. I joined WHO in 2013.
Two decades of experience in humanitarian work taught me that good intentions alone are not enough; they must be followed by action and commitment. Once we assess the needs and recognize the gaps, it becomes our duty to bridge the divide between intent and impact and translate intention into tangible efforts. A harmonious combination between idealism and practi...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 28, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Statement by the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean at the press conference ...
25 September 2023 – 2023 has been unique in many ways. In May, WHO declared that COVID-19 was no longer a public health emergency of international concern. It remains a threat. Scientists continue to detect new strains and subvariants in circulation.
But it is now one issue among many, to be managed alongside other infectious diseases and other health challenges. We must stay vigilant and never let our guard down.
The 70th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean – also known as RC70 – will take place between 9 and 12 October under the slogan “United for a healthier future”. It coinci...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 24, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Saving lives, preventing health risks and restoring health care services in the aftermath of ...
Tripoli, Libya, 22 September 2023 – In the wake of catastrophic floods that had a devastating impact on Libya's east coast, the World Health Organization (WHO) is taking swift action to assist affected communities. WHO is supporting urgent efforts to restore access to health care and control the spread of infectious diseases, especially among the tens of thousands of people who have been displaced and are now living in shelters.
“The magnitude of this catastrophe is staggering,” said Dr Ahmed Zouiten, WHO Representative in Libya. “The need for swift, unified action cannot be overstated. We are collaborating closel...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 22, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Operations at WHO ’s logistics hub in Dubai reach an unprecedented scale and impact, says new ...
21 September 2023, Cairo, Egypt – WHO has released an innovative, interactive report that provides insights into the vast operations and global impact of WHO’s logistics hub in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The new report reveals the logistics hub’s impressive ability to provide support on an unprecedented scale, and its swift, adaptable response to humanitarian crises. This reinforces its vital role in WHO emergency response efforts across the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and beyond.
Report on WHO’s logistics hub in Dubai
“The supplies delivered by WHO’s logistics hub in Dubai have been a...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 21, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Faster progress on nutrition is the focus of regional meeting and new resource
19 September 2023, Amman, Jordan – Today is the first day of the intercountry meeting for nutrition focal points organized by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. It also marks the launch of the Eastern Mediterranean Region food composition database, a joint initiative by Al-Quds University and the Regional Office.
The meeting is taking place from 19 to 21 September 2023, in Amman, Jordan, under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Salha Bint Asem. Representatives of all of the Region’s Member States will attend, along with members of academia, United Nations agencies and international o...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 19, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
WHO health supplies arrive in Libya as part of intensified response to devastating floods
WHO supplies arrived in Libya in response to the devastating floods
16 September 2023, Tripoli, Libya – Today, 29 metric tonnes of health supplies arrived in Benghazi, Libya, from the WHO Global Logistics Hub in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With enough supplies to reach almost 250,000 people with health aid, the shipment reflects an intensified emergency response to the unprecedented flooding in eastern Libya in the aftermath of Storm Daniel. The supplies include essential medicines, trauma and emergency surgery supplies, and medical equipment. There are also body bags for the safe and dignified movement and burial of t...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 16, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
World Patient Safety Day 2023
September 2023, Egypt – This year, World Patient Safety Day 2023 is being celebrated around the theme “Engaging patients for patient safety”, in recognition of the central role that patients, their families and caregivers play in advancing safe care, reducing harm and preventing avoidable deaths.
With the slogan “Elevate the voice of patients", World Patient Safety Day focuses on patient engagement in health care as a key strategy for delivering people-centred health services, reducing the burden of avoidable harm, strengthening health systems, enhancing health workers’ performance, reducing health care costs, a...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 13, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
COVID-19 remains a persistent public health threat
COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Afghanistan: Credit: WHO/Zakarya Safari
7 September 2023, Cairo, Egypt – WHO recently designated the Omicron EG.5 lineage as a “variant of interest” and listed other closely monitored variants. It serves as a stark reminder that COVID-19 poses an enduring threat to public health.
Within the Region, 4 countries that share COVID-19-specific reports have detected the EG.5 variant. Other countries have begun to integrate COVID-19 reporting as part of respiratory disease surveillance systems. Vigilance in monitoring the situation remains paramount while this process takes place to transi...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 7, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
World Suicide Prevention Day 2023
7 September 2023, Cairo — World Suicide Prevention Day is being marked globally today, under the theme “Creating hope through action”.
Suicide is a major public health problem with far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences. It is the fourth leading cause of death among people between 15 and 29 years old.
Estimates show that more than 700 000 people die due to suicide every year globally. Moreover, for every suicide, there are many more people who attempt suicide.
According to the global report “Suicide Worldwide in 2019: Global Health Estimates”, more than 77% of suicides occur in low- and middl...
Source: WHO EMRO News - September 5, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
FAO, UNICEF, WFP and WHO join efforts to address child malnutrition affecting millions of ...
Amman/Cairo, 29 August 2023 – Today, the regional directors of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the Near East and North Africa, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in the Middle East and North Africa and the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region have launched a pioneering framework for regional United Nations nutrition collaboration as part of their collaborative effort to address the pressing issue of malnutrition in the region.
Launched in Cairo, Egypt, this important initiative marks a milestone in the ongoing...
Source: WHO EMRO News - August 29, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Call for nominations to serve on the WHO regional Youth Council
23 August 2023 – Young people are tomorrow’s leaders and today’s agents of change. WHO believes that young people’s voices should be at the heart of decisions that impact the health of people around the world. The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean is thus looking to collaborate with youth organizations and establish a regional Youth Council to scale up the contribution of youth in efforts to promote public health in the Region and create a comprehensive and inclusive WHO youth engagement strategy.
The regional Youth Council will serve as a dynamic network for stakeholders to amplify the voices and ...
Source: WHO EMRO News - August 23, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Call for nominations to serve on the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Youth Council
23 August 2023 – Young people are tomorrow’s leaders and today’s agents of change. WHO believes that young people’s voices should be at the heart of decisions that impact the health of people around the world. The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean is thus looking to collaborate with youth organizations and establish a regional Youth Council to scale up the contribution of youth in efforts to promote public health in the Region and create a comprehensive and inclusive WHO youth engagement strategy.
The regional Youth Council will serve as a dynamic network for stakeholders to amplify the voices and ...
Source: WHO EMRO News - August 23, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
World No Tobacco Day 2023 award
Dr Asmus Hammerich, Director of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, Dr Rana Hajjah, Director of Programme Management, Dr Hani Al Gouhmani, World No Tobacco Day award winner, and Dr Fatimah El-Awa, Regional Adviser for the Tobacco Free Iniative in the WHO Regional Office
23 August 2023, Cairo, Egypt – Every year, the WHO Regional Office recognizes individuals for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control. Today, the World No Tobacco Day award was presented to Dr Hani Al Gouhmani, former coordinator of the Framework Convention Alliance for supporting nongovernmental organizations in tobacco control...
Source: WHO EMRO News - August 23, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
Statement by Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, on the ...
19 August 2023, Cairo, Egypt – On this World Humanitarian Day, we come together to recognize the unwavering dedication and compassion of communities, humanitarian workers, and health care workers who tirelessly serve those in need worldwide.
This year's theme, "No Matter What", resonates deeply as we reflect on the challenges faced by the humanitarians caught in crises and their remarkable efforts to alleviate the suffering of those around them.
This year’s World Humanitarian Day coincides with unprecedented culminating crises and emergencies worldwide and, most significantly, in WHO’s Eastern Mediterra...
Source: WHO EMRO News - August 19, 2023 Category: Middle East Health Source Type: news
