WHO Calls for Greater Protection of Healthcare Workers Amid Rising Attacks in Eastern Mediterranean

On World Humanitarian Day 2026 (August 19, 2026), the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an urgent call for greater protection of civilians, health workers, and humanitarian personnel, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. So far this year, WHO has recorded 438 attacks on healthcare in the region, resulting in over 773 deaths and 1123 injuries, accounting for nearly 50% of global attacks on healthcare and over 80% of associated deaths. The region faces converging crises of conflict, displacement, hunger, disease, and climate shocks, with over 117 million people requiring humanitarian assistance in 2026.