Update on escalating conflict in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

17 March 2026 - Conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, unfolding a multi-layered public health emergency. Increasing numbers of deaths and injuries are being reported, with over 1,440 deaths and more than 18,700 injuries reported in Iran, and more than 886 deaths and 2105 injuries in Lebanon. Displacement is also rising rapidly, with over 945,000 people uprooted in Lebanon, including 132,100 living in 620 collective shelters across the country, many of which are overcrowded. These conditions have the potential to rapidly increase health risks.

Since the start of the conflict, approximately 100 000 people have left Tehran and between 600 000 and 1 million Iranian households are now reportedly temporarily relocated inside the country, representing up to 3.2 million people. Additionally, over 120,400 individuals, predominantly Syrians, but also Lebanese nationals, have crossed from Lebanon into Syria.

Access to health care is becoming more difficult. In countries directly affected, some facilities have closed due to insecurity, and movement restrictions are delaying ambulances, patient referrals, and the delivery of medicines. Injured people, displaced families, patients with chronic diseases, pregnant women and older people must be able to reach life-saving health services.

Attacks on health care continue to be reported, further disrupting service delivery and putting health workers and patients at risk.

On 13 March, 14 doctors, paramedics and nurses were killed in two WHO-verified attacks on health care in Lebanon. In total since 2 March, WHO has verified 28 attacks on health care in Lebanon, resulting in 30 deaths and 35 injuries. In Iran, 18 attacks have been verified by WHO since 28 February, resulting in 8 deaths. And on 17 March, two paramedics in Kuwait were injured when shrapnel fell on an ambulance center, according to the Ministry of Health.

These attacks are not isolated incidents, but part of an concerning pattern of violence against health care observed across multiple conflict settings in the Region.

On the evening of 16 March, a reported attack on a drug rehabilitation facility, managed by the Ministry of Interior, in Kabul reportedly killed more than 400 people and injured at least 250 others who were being treated for substance use disorders. Increasing hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan have also resulted in at least 6 health facilities reportedly impacted in Afghanistan since late February.WHO is working to verify these reports.

In the occupied Palestinian territory, 31 attacks on health care have occurred since the beginning of the year, resulting in three deaths and 21 injuries. And in Sudan, 11 attacks on health care have occurred, resulting in 114 deaths and 148 injuries.

Health workers, patients, hospitals and ambulances are protected under international humanitarian law and must be respected and protected at all times.

The escalating conflict in the Middle East conflict has also raised environmental health risks across the Region. Strikes on energy infrastructure including oil depots and refineries in Iran and several countries in the Gulf are releasing toxic hydrocarbons and particulate matter. This contributes to increasing the risk of acute respiratory and cardiovascular illness. Damage to desalination infrastructure in Iran and the Gulf are also threatening water supply for millions, raising concerns about water safety and security across the Region.

WHO is monitoring these environmental exposures and is working with national authorities to evaluate their health impact.

Despite shortages in funding, WHO is actively supporting countries across the Region-strengthening trauma care, maintaining essential health services, enhancing disease surveillance, assessing environmental health risks from infrastructure damage, and providing national health authorities with public health guidance.

But the scale of need is outpacing available resources, with WHO's health emergency appeals for the Eastern Mediterranean Region only 37% funded to date.

WHO reiterates its calls for urgent funding for the humanitarian health response, and an immediate de-escalation of hostilities across the Region.