On 15 March 2026, WHO released US$2 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) to support urgent health responses in Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria. The CFE is a rapid financing mechanism that allows WHO to immediately fund critical health operations during emergencies while additional donor support is mobilized.
Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighted that escalating conflict in the Middle East is placing immense pressure on health systems, and the emergency funds are vital to sustain frontline health workers and maintain essential services.
In Lebanon, US$1 million will strengthen emergency coordination, scale up trauma care, reinforce disease surveillance, and procure and distribute essential medicines and supplies. The country is facing growing numbers of injured patients, damaged health infrastructure, and large-scale population displacement, compounding existing health system challenges. Contributions from the European Union and Japan continue to support WHO’s response in Lebanon.
Iraq will receive US$500,000 to support emergency coordination, mass-casualty management, mental health and psychosocial services, risk communication, and disease surveillance. Health facilities near conflict areas are experiencing increased demand for trauma and emergency care while maintaining routine services.
In Syria, US$500,000 will fund procurement and distribution of essential medicines, ensure access to life-saving health services for displaced populations, and strengthen disease surveillance. The country is hosting over 104,300 recent arrivals from Lebanon, while northeast Syria remains fragile for more than 116,900 internally displaced people across 165 communities. Funding may also be allocated to support targeted health interventions in Iran if requested.
The ongoing Middle East conflict has increased urgent funding needs. WHO’s 2026 health emergency appeals for the Eastern Mediterranean Region require US$633 million, but as of March, only 37% has been funded. Recent voluntary contributions from countries including Canada, Kuwait, Portugal, and Estonia help replenish the CFE, though the fund remains under pressure due to reductions in humanitarian financing.
These rapid-response funds allow WHO to maintain life-saving health services, protect vulnerable populations, and strengthen health system resilience amid escalating crises in the region.
