WHO releases $2 million in emergency funds to Lebanon, Iraq and Syria
March 15 (Reuters) – The World Health Organization said on Sunday it was transferring $2 million from its Emergency Fund (CFE) to support the health response in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
The World Health Organization said last week that the conflict had triggered a large-scale population movement and estimated that more than 100,000 people in Iran and as many as 700,000 people in Lebanon were internally displaced.
The agency said in a statement that $1 million was allocated to Lebanon to strengthen emergency coordination through WHO’s Public Health Emergency Operations Center, increase trauma care, strengthen disease surveillance, and procure and distribute essential medicines and medical supplies.
Iraq and Syria were each allocated $500,000 to support emergency coordination and mass casualty management, procure and distribute essential medicines and supplies, provide health services to displaced populations, and strengthen disease surveillance and community outreach.
“At a time when health services are already facing significant challenges, support is essential to sustain frontline health workers and maintain critical care services,” said Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. he said.
(Reporting by Rhea Rose Abraham in Bengaluru; Editing by Alexander Smith)
