Ongoing health emergencies
Humanitarian crises
Afghanistan
Afghanistan is in severe humanitarian crisis following decades of conflict, displacements and a surge in returnees, with over 22.9 million people requiring humanitarian assistance in 2025. The country faces multiple challenges, including insufficient access to basic services, natural hazards, population displacement, drought, food insecurity and communicable disease outbreaks. The health care system is currently facing a severe crisis marked by underfunding, service disruptions and significant barriers to access, particularly affecting women and rural communities.
Afghan women and children also face limited access to education and economic opportunities.
Approximately 25% of the population lives in hard-to-reach areas and lacks access to basic health care services. The health sector struggles with increasing needs. Urgent support is required to prevent further deterioration of the health system and services and to ensure that vulnerable populations receive the care they need.
Lebanon
Lebanon's health sector is under immense strain due to socio-economic deterioration, regional instability and, since September 2024, violence. Over 1.3 million people have been internally displaced and infrastructure damage has worsened access to health care and essential services.
The situation is the result of a multi-crisis build-up including the influx of Syrian refugees, economic collapse, political stalemates and the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 80% of Lebanese citizens and 90% of Syrian refugees cannot afford health care which, over the past few years, has reached almost total collapse. The military escalation led to the closure of over 100 primary health centres and several hospitals, some of which have recently reopened. The crisis is exacerbated by shortages of medical supplies, skilled health personnel and essential medicines, putting vulnerable individuals at risk of communicable disease outbreaks.
WHO continues to support Lebanon with a large-scale emergency response to health, strengthening leadership and coordination for the response to the public health emergency, providing lifesaving trauma and emergency care, ensuring the continuity of essential health services and strengthening disease surveillance and outbreak control measures.
Occupied Palestinian territory
Since October 2023, the occupied Palestinian territory has witnessed conflict, political turmoil and economic instability. The health system in the Gaza Strip has been severely damaged. By 24 April 2025, over 52 000 Palestinians had been killed and more than 118 000 injured.
Lack of access to basic commodities, and famine and disease, have led to rising malnutrition, gender-based violence and death. The destruction of essential infrastructure has impacted health and well-being, with many Palestinians unable to access essential care. WHO has verified 670 attacks on health care in Gaza, causing strain on the health system and limiting resources for surgical interventions. Over 10 000 patients still need to be evacuated for urgent care.
» Occupied Palestinian territory
WHO Health Emergency Appeal 2025
Somalia
Somalia is facing a humanitarian crisis due to over 3 decades of armed conflict and a weakened and fragmented health system. Low childhood immunization rates, a sparse health workforce and limited access to health services contribute to poor health outcomes. Somalia has one of the world's highest maternal mortality rates, further highlighting the need for sustainable health interventions.
Sudan
Sudan's humanitarian situation has worsened since conflict escalated in April 2023, with widespread violence and displacement across multiple states. The country is facing a critical health crisis with 20.3 million people in need of health assistance, including over 11 million internally displaced persons. Health facilities are either non-functional or overwhelmed, and vulnerable groups, particularly women, children, the elderly and individuals with disabilities, are disproportionately affected.
Lack of access to medicines and medical supplies is affecting the health system’s capacity to provide health care to those who need it most. Two-thirds of states are responding to 3 or more disease outbreaks, including cholera, with up to 60 000 cases reported in just 6 months. The conflict has complicated efforts to deliver basic public health services, making the population more susceptible to preventable diseases. Noncommunicable diseases account for over 51% of deaths, and food insecurity affects over half the population.
Syria
Syria stands at a fragile but pivotal crossroads. After years of conflict, economic collapse, and displacement, over 15.8 million people still urgently need health support. Among them, 7.4 million are internally displaced – one of the largest displaced populations globally – and nearly 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line.
The political developments in December 2024 have sparked new hopes for peace, stability, and national unity. Since then, more than 1.2 million people have returned to their areas of origin — a powerful sign of resilience — while others continue to face new and prolonged displacement. Access to healthcare remains critical as Syrians work to rebuild their lives.
However, challenges persist. Over half of Syria’s health facilities are non-functional, and shortages of medicines, equipment, and health workers strain an already overstretched system. Disease outbreaks, rising malnutrition, trauma injuries, and growing mental health needs place further pressure on fragile services. In 2024 alone, 77 attacks on healthcare were recorded, and in 2025, health facilities across Syria face unprecedented risks of closure, affecting millions.
WHO stands firmly with the people of Syria. As the lead health agency, WHO is working closely with the Ministry of Health and partners to ensure continuity of essential services, strengthen health system recovery, and build a healthier future. Immediate humanitarian support, early recovery efforts, and long-term investment in Syria’s health sector are critical to securing a more stable and resilient future for all Syrians.
Yemen
Yemen is facing a spillover of violence due to the escalating conflict in the occupied Palestinian territory and the wider Middle East. Additionally, the country is facing widespread outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, including cholera, measles, diphtheria, dengue and malaria.
Between 11 March 2024 and 13 April 2025, Yemen reported a cumulative total of 270 622 suspected cases of cholera and 884 associated deaths, resulting in an overall case fatality rate (CFR) of 0.33%, marking one of the biggest outbreaks in the world.
Food insecurity has worsened, with over 220 000 pregnant and breastfeeding women and 600 000 children malnourished by the end of 2024. Environmental disasters, including floods and cyclones, have displaced populations and damaged infrastructure. The health care system is severely strained, with only 38% of facilities functioning. Mental health needs are critical, with 7 million people suffering from psychological trauma.
