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 WHO Regional Emergency Director

2. 2 Emergency Needs & Risks

3. Major developments since last Regional Committee Earthquakes X3 in Afghanistan Escalation of conflict in Palestine Somalia floods A year since civil war broke out in Sudan Cholera in Yemen Escalation in Lebanon Mpox re-declared a PHEIC (WHO) and a PHECS (African CDC) Polio outbreak in Gaza Strip War in Gaza Strip 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 Region: a snapshot 4 107 million 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 and implementing health emergency preparedness, response and resilience (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 Iraq Improving outcomes from severe acute malnutrition Cure rates in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Yemen > 85% , (standard > 75% ) Capacity gains during COVID-19 Laboratories increased by 340% 90% Member States expanded intensive care capacities

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

8. Where is the Region leading in emergencies? Regional Trauma Initiative addressing major regional and global gap – 200 mass casualty incidents 118 hospitals in Lebanon – mass casualty management training; drills in 112 Strengthening emergency management 13 Member States 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 fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings Monitoring coverage and impact Supply chain – Dubai hub 2023–2024: 90 countries; US$ 50 million supplies; 610 shipments (biggest recipients: Yemen, Palestine, Sudan) 146 countries served since January 2020

9. Biggest challenge: A large funding gap exists US$ 181 million required by regional emergencies programme funding gap 71% US$ 51.9 m US$ 129.2 m Resources Competing demands Operational constraints 16 emergencies; 80+ public health 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 the Regional Director’s flagship initiatives Expanding IHR core capacities & all hazard preparedness Sustaining COVID-19 gains Institutionalizing Integrated Disease Surveillance Cross-cutting: Increased reviews/evaluations, preventing and responding to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment ( 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 international humanitarian law Humanitarian diplomacy and peace Assist with financial support to meet gaps 1. 2. 3. 4.