Since January 2020, WHO has been sounding the alarm and raising awareness in the Eastern Mediterranean Region about COVID-19. From testing suspected cases, training rapid response teams, providing protective gear for health workers, to getting the message out via social media, WHO is in a race against time to help countries respond and prevent further spread of the virus.

See WHO’s work in countries from the Region.

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To help Gaza manage potential COVID-19 cases, in March 2020 WHO helped local health facilities prepare quarantine tents for moderately ill patients. WHO also delivered laboratory testing kits and personal protective equipment to Gaza’s health facilities.

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WHO provided Jordan’s main COVID-19 testing laboratory with supplies and trained health workers to test large numbers of samples rapidly.

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Personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks, gloves, and goggles keeps health workers safer so they can continue the fight against the virus. From January to mid-April 2020, WHO shipped protective gear to help more than 100 000 doctors and nurses in the Region.

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In Iraq, health teams fanned out over cities like Mosul to bring WHO’s COVID prevention information to markets, mosques, shrines, and schools. The materials reached millions of Iraqis in February 2020.

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In Lebanon, WHO worked with schools to promote handwashing and created an educational cartoon so children know how to protect themselves and others.

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In Afghanistan near the border with Islamic Republic of Iran, WHO supports local health authorities screen people entering the country from Islamic Republic of Iran. Arrivals wait outside and then are checked for symptoms in the tent. They also receive advice about COVID-19 prevention and protection.

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To help Yemen’s fragile health infrastructure cope with potential COVID-19 cases, in March 2020 WHO airlifted additional personal protective items for health workers, laboratory screening tests, trauma medication and other medical supplies to the country.

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In many countries, airport staff need to know how to properly screen arrivals for viral symptoms, so the passengers can be further tested. WHO trained airport workers in Pakistan to use thermal scanners properly.

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In Syria, laboratory technicians evaluate a sample to determine if a person has COVID-19. Between January and mid-April 2020, WHO provided COVID testing laboratory supplies to all 22 countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

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WHO provided Egypt with testing kits and trained its health workers to test for COVID-19 rapidly.

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