The World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Thursday that Iraq’s declaration of an environmental emergency and the launch of a government platform to monitor pollution levels and incidents are significant steps toward enhancing public health protection. The organization emphasized that pollution is not merely an environmental issue but represents a challenge to both health and development.

Jamela Al-Raiby, the WHO Representative in Iraq, said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "From a public health perspective, air pollution is linked to an increased risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, strokes, and lung cancer, while water pollution can heighten the risk of waterborne diseases." She noted that "exposure to certain chemical and industrial pollutants can have long-term health consequences."