Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, was speaking during a press briefing on emergencies in the occupied Palestinian territory and Lebanon, but also in war-ravaged Sudan and beyond.
She also upheld the critical role of UN Palestine refugee agency UNRWA in Gaza, and appealed for peace.
“We urgently call for immediate and sustained ceasefires in the occupied Palestinian territory, Lebanon and Sudan, and unhindered access to deliver lifesaving aid,” she said.
Dr. Balkhy reported that since her last briefing “the conflict we feared would escalate has intensified, leading to a devastating deterioration in the Middle East”.
Food security experts have warned of imminent famine in North Gaza, where 15 UN agency chiefs have described the situation there as “apocalyptic”, however “tragically, nothing has changed – and perhaps has only become worse,” she added.
“Amid this relentless violence, we are working tirelessly to keep hospitals operational and evacuate patients in need of specialised care,” she said.
