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 Mediterranean Region.
The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in the Region has spiked massively, increasing by 91% since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict and displacement.
127 million people in our Region are currently in need of humanitarian aid, representing 37% of people in need globally. In Sudan, the number of people in need has increased by 57% since April 2023 as a result of the war. Eight countries —Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, occupied Palestinian territory, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen —already experience protracted crises exacerbated by armed conflict, population displacement, disease outbreak, hunger, and natural disasters.
Most significantly, in 2022 and 2023, we responded to 5 of the world’s 10 largest natural disasters, including droughts, massive flooding and earthquakes in the Greater Horn of Africa, Pakistan, Syria and Afghanistan.
Twelve of the Region’s 22 countries/territories are experiencing armed conflict resulting in an increased trauma burden, displacement and attacks on health care. As a result of the war in