The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it has released emergency funding from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to help countries facing serious health challenges due to the ongoing conflict in the region.
According to the organization, the conflict has caused a large movement of people across several countries. Many families have been forced to leave their homes in search of safety.
The WHO earlier estimated that more than 100,000 people in Iran have moved to safer locations, while up to 700,000 people in Lebanon have been displaced inside the country because of the conflict.
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To respond to this situation, the organization has allocated $1 million for Lebanon. The funding will help strengthen emergency health coordination through the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.
The money will also support trauma care services, improve disease monitoring systems, and ensure the supply of essential medicines and medical equipment to hospitals and health centers.
Meanwhile, Iraq and Syria will each receive $500,000 from the emergency fund.
According to the WHO, the funds will help both countries improve emergency coordination, manage mass casualty situations, and provide medical services to displaced communities.
The financial support will also be used to supply essential medicines, strengthen disease surveillance systems, and increase community outreach programs.
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WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Hanan Balkhy, said that health systems in these countries were already under serious pressure before the latest crisis.
She said that urgent support is necessary to help frontline health workers continue their work and ensure that hospitals can provide life-saving treatment to patients.
The organization warned that without immediate assistance, the health situation in the region could become even more challenging.
