Update on Emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Update on Emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

1. Update on Emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region Dr. Rick Brennan Regional Emergency Director Second rehearsal

2. 2 Emergency Needs & Risks

3. Major developments since last RC Earthquakes X3 in Afghanistan Escalation of conflict in oPt Somalia Floods A year since civil war broke out in Sudan Cholera in Yemen Escalation in Lebanon Mpox re-declared as a PHEIC (WHO) & a PHECS (African CDC) Polio outbreak in Gaza War in Gaza grinds on – 12 months 10/23 11/23 3/24 8/24 10/24 5/24 IHR amendments Dengue G3

4. Emergency burden in the EMR: A snapshot 4 107 m need assistance 16 graded emergencies - 10 grade 3 5 of 10 deadliest natural disasters 75 disease outbreaks in 2024 1106 attacks on health care

5. Approach: Strengthening emergency management & implementing the HEPR Preparedness Detection & Investigation  Response & Recovery Prevention & Mitigation Community protection Collaborative surveillance Access to counter measures Safe & scalable care Emergency coordination

6. Good health outcomes when provided with access and resources Controlling case fatality rates CFR < 1.0% in 6 of 8 cholera outbreaks CCHF CFR reduced from 18% to 5% in IRQ Improving outcomes from SAM Cure rates in AFG, PAK, SOM, SYR & YEM > 85%, (standard > 75% ) Capacity gains during COVID-19 Laboratories increased by 340% 90% MS expanded intensive care capacities

7. 7 Progress on previous RC commitments Integrated Disease Surveillance (RC 68) IDS roadmaps – 4 MS EBS/EIOS - 13 MS Regional governance structure Building resilient health systems to advance UHC & health security (RC 69) Building on capacity gains during COVID-19 Advancing HDPNx - WB collaboration in Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen Accelerating health emergency preparedness & response (RC 68) JEEs – 21 MS; NAPHS – 22 MS; IHR amendments & INB process – support for MS One Health (RC 69) National frameworks and operational plans – 9 MS Regional Quadripartite

8. Where is EMRO leading in Emergencies? Regional Trauma Initiative Addressing major regional & global gap – 200 MCIs 118 hospitals in Lebanon – MCM training; drills in 112 Strengthening emergency management 13 MS with functional PHEOCs Leadership in emergencies – 500+ trained Sustaining COVID-19 gains Only mapping exercise globally - study in BMJ Major theme of Pandemic Fund proposals Monitoring effectiveness of humanitarian action Standardizing indicators in 5 FCVs Monitoring coverage and impact Supply chain – Dubai hub 2023-24: 90 countries; US $ 50M supplies; 610 shipments (Biggest recipients’: YEM, oPt, SUD) 146 countries served since January 2020

9. Biggest challenge: A large funding gap exists 181m required by WHE EMR funding gap 71% 51.9m 129.2m Resources Competing demands Operational constraints 16 emergencies; 80+ PH events; 45 ongoing outbreaks Staff ‘triple hatting’ Insecurity and access Attacks on Health Care Divided territories Bureaucratic impediments Funds available Gap

10. Priorities: Looking Forward Advancing RD’s Flagship Initiatives Expanding IHR core capacities & all hazard preparedness Sustaining COVID-19 gains Institutionalizing Integrated Disease Surveillance Cross cutting: Increased reviews/ evaluations, PRSEAH Strengthening service delivery in protracted crises: HDPNx Improving operational readiness & response to acute emergencies

11. Requests to Member States Invest in emergency management and HEPR capacities Fast-track implementation of the amended IHR Scale-up political support & advocacy Access to those in need Compliance with IHL Humanitarian diplomacy & peace Assist with financial support to meet gaps 1. 2. 3. 4.