The World Health Organization is requesting $689 million for the Eastern Mediterranean Emergency 2026

The World Health Organization has launched an urgent appeal to the international community and donors, announcing its urgent need for US$689 million to ensure the continuity of the response to escalating health emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region during 2026. This announcement comes at a time when the region is facing unprecedented humanitarian challenges, making it one of the most affected areas in the world.

Details of the regional appeal and the scale of the needs

The organization explained that current estimates indicate that approximately 115 million people in the region are in dire need of health and humanitarian assistance. In this context, Dr. Hanan Balkhy , WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, stressed the necessity of providing funding commensurate with the scale of the existing and complex crises. She emphasized that this financial support is not merely a matter of numbers, but a lifeline that ensures the delivery of essential medical services, life-saving medicines, and emergency supplies to the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in the region.

Global context: simultaneous crises and cross-border challenges

This regional appeal is inextricably linked to the grim global picture. The organization has also announced a total need for $1 billion to address health crises in 36 regions worldwide experiencing acute health emergencies. These regions include hotspots such as the Gaza Strip, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Haiti. Dr. Chikwe Ikezu , Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, stated that a quarter of a billion people worldwide are currently living under the weight of humanitarian crises that deprive them of their most basic rights to safety, shelter, and healthcare, necessitating immediate international action.

Historical background: Why the Eastern Mediterranean?

The Eastern Mediterranean region occupies a sensitive geographical location and has historically suffered from a continuous series of armed conflicts, political instability, and increasing natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, such as floods and earthquakes. These factors combined have devastated health infrastructure in many countries of the region and triggered massive waves of displacement and refuge, further straining already fragile health systems. The accumulation of these crises over decades has made 2026 a pivotal year requiring exceptional intervention to prevent the complete collapse of health systems.

Strategic importance and expected impact

This funding is of paramount importance, extending beyond the local level to encompass global health security. The failure to control epidemics and infectious diseases in conflict zones within the Eastern Mediterranean could lead to their cross-border transmission, posing a threat to public health regionally and internationally. The requested funding will contribute to:

• Supporting vaccination programs and combating deadly epidemics.
• Providing surgical and injury treatment services in conflict zones.
• Supporting the mental health of those affected by wars and disasters.
• Strengthening epidemiological surveillance systems for early detection of health threats.

Responding to this appeal is not just an act of charity, but a necessary investment in regional stability and global health security, to ensure that millions are not left behind in the face of death and disease.