The World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Iraq, Jamila Al-Raabi, affirmed on Saturday the organization's continued support for the Iraqi Ministry of Health and its partners to enhance health preparedness during the Arba'een pilgrimage to the shrine of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him).

Al-Raabi told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The organization's support comes within the framework of the ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Health to strengthen the health system's capacity to prepare for and respond to the health needs imposed by large gatherings of people, thus ensuring the protection of the health of pilgrims, healthcare workers, and host communities."

She added that "the organization provides technical support in the areas of planning and preparedness, enhancing epidemiological surveillance and early disease detection, strengthening emergency response systems, as well as supporting coordination among health authorities and building the capacity of personnel through training in mass casualty management and health emergency response."

She noted that "the World Health Organization operates according to the One Health approach, which promotes integration among the human health, environment, veterinary medicine, and other relevant sectors to reduce health risks associated with zoonotic diseases and environmental factors."

Al-Raabi explained that "the organization continues its cooperation with the Karbala Health Department, the local government, and the holy shrines of Imam Hussein and Abbas to support health planning and preparedness, risk management, and the promotion of health messages and community awareness, this contributes to providing a safer environment for pilgrims during the Arba'een pilgrimage, which is one of the largest annual human gatherings in the world, attracting millions of pilgrim from inside and outside Iraq."

She noted that "the organization supported communication efforts regarding health risks by developing evidence-based awareness messages and coordinating awareness campaign, “She explained that "more than 300 volunteers were trained this year to participate in health awareness activities during the Arba'een pilgrimage, disseminating preventive messages related to food and water safety, prevention of communicable diseases, and protection from heat stress."