Dr. Richard Brennan, Director of Emergencies at the WHO’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, announced that four planes carrying aid recently arrived in Gaza.
He made the announcement during a Thursday press conference marking the conclusion of the 71st session of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, held in Doha.
Brennan highlighted efforts to deploy international medical teams in Gaza and Lebanon, mentioning that there are currently 10 field hospitals in Gaza, with plans to extend similar support to Lebanon.
He emphasized the importance of controlling disease outbreaks in both regions, stating that the first phase of a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza, which lasted three days, has concluded, with 181,000 children under 10 vaccinated. The second phase has now started, aiming for 100% coverage among children.
In Lebanon, the WHO successfully vaccinated 350,000 people against cholera as part of a large-scale effort. Additionally, the organization has trained 120 medical staff in Lebanon on wound and trauma care.
Dr. Hanan Balkhi, WHO’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, stressed the need for sustainable peace to achieve “Health Without Borders.” She emphasized the importance of accessing conflict areas to deliver medical aid and highlighted the organization’s efforts to train medical staff, collaborate with health ministries, and build partnerships to meet the needs of underserved populations.
