WHO releases US$2 million in emergency funds to support health response in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria

15 March 2026, Cairo, Egypt - As humanitarian health needs continue to rise across parts of the Middle East, WHO has released US$2 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE) to support the health response in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria. The fund is an internal rapid financing mechanism, allowing the Organization to quickly release funds to support critical health operations during emergencies while additional donor funding is mobilized.

"Escalating conflict in the Middle East is intensifying demands on health systems," said Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. "At a time when health services are already facing significant challenges, support is essential to sustain frontline health workers and maintain critical care services. WHO's decision to release these emergency funds reflects our commitment to ensuring that lifesaving health services continue during this crisis."

In Lebanon, increasing numbers of injured patients, damage to health infrastructure and large-scale population displacement are placing a severe strain on health services already under pressure. A US$1 million allocation will support WHO to strengthen emergency coordination through the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, scale up trauma care, reinforce disease surveillance, and procure and distribute essential medicines and medical supplies. WHO's ongoing response in Lebanon is also supported by contributions from the European Union and Japan.

In Iraq, health services are facing increasing pressure, particularly hospitals located near areas affected by conflict and violent demonstrations. Health facilities are managing increased demand for emergency and trauma care while continuing to provide routine services. A US$500,000 allocation will support emergency coordination, mass-casualty management, procurement and distribution of medicines and supplies, mental health and psychosocial support services, risk communication and community engagement, and strengthened disease surveillance.

In Syria, more than 104,300 people who recently crossed from Lebanon have arrived in the country. Meanwhile, in the northeast, the situation remains fragile for more than 116,900 internally displaced people living across 165 communities. A US$500,000 allocation will support the procurement and distribution of essential medicines and medical supplies, ensure access to life-saving health services for displaced populations, and strengthen disease surveillance to detect and respond to potential outbreaks.

CFE funding will also be made available to support targeted, priority health interventions in Iran in response to the current conflict, should WHO support be requested.

The conflict in the Middle East is increasing need for urgent funding. Prior to the current escalation, WHO required US$ 633 million through its 2026 health emergency appeals to respond to complex and converging crises across the Eastern Mediterranean Region. As of March, these appeals are 37% funded, requiring increased international support.

In the first quarter of 2026, Canada, Kuwait, Portugal, and Estonia provided generous support to replenish WHO's Contingency Fund for Emergencies. Contributors in 2025 included Germany, Norway, Canada, Ireland, Kuwait, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Poland, Switzerland, Philippines, Estonia, and the WHO Foundation.

These voluntary contributions enable WHO to rapidly respond to health emergencies worldwide. However, the CFE is severely depleted owing to reductions in humanitarian funding, impacting the Organization's ability to rapidly scale up responses to emerging health crises.

More about WHO's Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE)

https://www.who.int/emergencies/funding/contingency-fund-for-emergencies