The World Health Organisation (WHO) today voiced extreme concern over the rising risk of a radiological or nuclear incident in the Eastern Mediterranean, citing an ‘alarming pattern’ of eight strikes notified by the IAEA near Iranian nuclear facilities. The stark warning came as the agency detailed a rapidly deteriorating health situation across a region beset by multiple crises that are pushing fragile medical systems to the brink of collapse.
In a media briefing, WHO Regional Director Dr Hanan Balkhy stated that any strike near a nuclear facility could have ‘severe and far-reaching consequences for public health and the environment.’
Dr Balkhy’s statement painted a grim picture across several nations. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, more than 3.2 million people are displaced, with hospitals under intense strain managing over 33,000 trauma cases. The tally of verified attacks on healthcare in the country has reached 23, including the recent bombing of the historic Pasteur Institute of Iran, which houses two WHO collaborating centres.
The situation in Lebanon is similarly dire, with one in five people displaced and emergency services under severe pressure. The nation has recorded over 1,500 deaths, nearly 5,000 injuries, and 106 verified attacks on its healthcare infrastructure.
In Iraq, instability is on a ‘knife edge’ following strikes from multiple sides and recent flooding. The resulting insecurity has disrupted access to care and the movement of health workers, with 89 people killed and nearly 400 injured.
The challenges in delivering aid were underscored by the WHO’s recent decision to suspend medical evacuations from Gaza after a contractor was killed. ‘When those delivering health care are not safe, patients are not safe,’ Dr Balkhy remarked, highlighting the cutoff of a critical pathway to care for patients.
These conflicts are exacerbating widespread public health risks, including the threat of disease outbreaks from mass displacement and serious environmental hazards impacting safe drinking water and air quality in one of the world”s most water-stressed regions.
In response, the WHO is working with national authorities to strengthen preparedness for potential chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) incidents. The organisation is also coordinating trauma care, maintaining essential services like immunisation, and sustaining supply chains through its Dubai logistics hub.
Despite airspace disruptions, aid deliveries are resuming. Since 1 April, over 187 metric tonnes of medical supplies have been mobilised. This includes a 22-tonne convoy to support 50,000 patients in Lebanon and a 78.5-tonne air shipment to Afghanistan aimed at reaching over 5 million people. A 22.2-tonne convoy for Gaza is currently in progress.
However, these efforts are severely hampered by a critical lack of funding. Of the US$689 million required for emergency operations in 2026, only 37% has been secured. This prompted the WHO to launch a new US$30.3 million flash appeal for its response in Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan.
Dr Balkhy welcomed the overnight news of a Pakistani-brokered two-week ceasefire, expressing hope it holds across the region. She stressed that a ceasefire is also urgently needed in Lebanon to prevent the further devastation of its health system.
While the brief pause in hostilities offers a “window of opportunity” to scale up the health response, Dr Balkhy concluded that it is not enough. ‘We need a permanent cessation of hostilities that allows communities to return, rebuild, and heal.’