The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean has issued the first WHO policy guidance document on antimicrobial resistance in conflict situations.

The policy brief on addressing antimicrobial resistance in fragile and conflict-affected situations is intended to drive investments and guide the activities of development banks, reconstruction and aid agencies, humanitarian entities, governments and UN agencies. As such, it represents a significant milestone in efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance which poses a growing threat to health security.

Globally, an estimated 4.71 million deaths were associated with bacterial AMR in 2021, including 1.14 million deaths directly attributable to it. This is projected to reach 8.22 million associated deaths and 1.91 million attributable deaths in 2050.