CAIRO – 11 March 2026: The World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Wednesday that more than 10 days after the latest escalation of conflict in the Middle East, health systems across the region are under increasing pressure as injuries and displacement rise, attacks on healthcare continue, and public health risks escalate.
National health authorities in Iran have reported more than 1,300 deaths and 9,000 injuries, while Lebanon has reported at least 570 deaths and more than 1,400 injuries.
At the same time, the conflict is severely impacting essential life-saving services. In Iran, the WHO has confirmed 18 attacks on healthcare facilities since February 28, resulting in the deaths of eight healthcare workers. During the same period in Lebanon, 25 attacks on healthcare facilities resulted in 16 deaths and 29 injuries.
The WHO explained that, in addition to the direct impact of violence, the conflict poses broader public health risks. Current estimates indicate that more than 100,000 people in Iran have been displaced to other parts of the country due to insecurity, while up to 700,000 people are internally displaced in Lebanon.
Many of these displaced individuals are living in overcrowded collective shelters under deteriorating public health conditions, with limited access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Environmental risks are also a growing concern. In Iran, oil fires and smoke from damaged infrastructure have exposed neighboring communities to toxic pollutants. These can cause respiratory problems, eye and skin irritation, and contaminate vital water and food sources.
Access to health services is becoming increasingly restricted across several countries. In Lebanon, 49 primary healthcare centers and five hospitals were closed following evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military, further reducing the availability of essential services at a time of growing medical need.
In Palestine, increasing movement restrictions and checkpoint closures are delaying the arrival of ambulances and mobile clinics to several governorates in the West Bank. In Gaza, medical evacuations have been suspended since February 28, while hospitals continue to operate under immense pressure amid persistent shortages of medicines, medical supplies, and fuel.
The Eastern Mediterranean region remains among the most humanitarian-stricken areas in the world. Currently, 115 million people require humanitarian assistance, representing nearly half of the global population in need. Yet, emergency health appeals remain 70 percent underfunded.
The World Health Organization has called on all parties to protect civilians and healthcare workers, ensure unimpeded and continuous humanitarian access, and work toward de-escalating the conflict so that communities can begin to recover and move toward peace.
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