Beirut, Lebanon | 5 April 2026 Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, has concluded a three-day mission to Lebanon, reaffirming the World Health Organization’s support for the country’s health emergency response amid the conflict and growing humanitarian needs.
Dr Ihekweazu met with national authorities, including the Prime Minister and the Health Minister, United Nations leadership, the humanitarian coordinator, other partners, displaced people, and frontline health workers to hear from their experiences and identify priority areas for WHO’s continued support.
“I felt deep empathy for the families displaced from their homes, and a renewed respect for the dedication of the whole system, including WHO colleagues,” said Dr Ihekweazu. “This dedication, combined with investments in preparedness, have kept the health system functioning for now, but it is unclear how long it can withstand repeated shocks as the conflict continues.”
In support of the national response, WHO is delivering medical supplies, training health workers, supporting the Public Health Emergency Operations Center, and coordinating the health response with partners, building on previous work and experience of emergencies in the country.
The latest delivery of supplies arrived in a convoy of four trucks on 1 April, carrying trauma emergency surgery supplies and specialized medicines, sufficient to support 50 000 patients, including 40 000 surgical interventions.
The Minister of Public Health, Dr Rakan Nassereddine welcomed WHO’s support. “Despite the challenges we face, the Ministry of Public Health remains committed to safeguarding essential health services for all people in Lebanon,” said Dr Nassereddine. “Our partnership with WHO is critical to sustaining the health system and responding effectively to growing needs.”
Throughout the mission, Dr Ihekweazu emphasized the need to protect health care at all times. Attacks affecting health facilities, ambulances, and health workers continue to disrupt essential services and put lives at risk. Since 2 March 2026, 88 attacks on health care have been reported, resulting in 128 injuries and 52 deaths.
“International humanitarian law is clear: health care must not be targeted, and should be actively protected,” said Dr Ihekweazu. “This includes health workers, patients, transport and facilities.”
In their meeting, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Mr Imran Riza, highlighted the importance of coordinated international support, emphasizing the need to ensure humanitarian access to all population in need, including those beyond the front lines and hard-to-reach areas.
“In the face of increasing humanitarian needs, strong coordination across the United Nations system and with national partners is essential,” said Mr Riza. “We remain committed to supporting Lebanon’s response and ensuring that life-saving assistance reaches those who need it most.”
Dr Ihekweazu visited the Public Health Emergencies Operations Centre, where WHO is supporting national authorities on coordination and real-time response. The centre was set up by WHO in 2007 after the 2006 war, relaunched in 2023, and plays a key role in coordinating health emergency services.
During his visit to the Rafik Hariri University Hospital, the largest public hospital in Lebanon, Dr Ihekweazu met with hospital management, who described a sharp rise in demand following the closure of hospitals in Beirut’s southern suburbs. Emergency admissions increased three-fold, from 30 to 90 patients per day while dialysis patients rose from 160 to 265. To respond, the hospital tripled its bed capacity and increased the number of dialysis machines, though shortages of some key equipment persist.
During a visit to a collective shelter hosting displaced families, Dr Ihekweazu saw the impact of displacement on health and wellbeing.
“The message I heard from every displaced person, without exception, was that they wanted to go home. As any of us would,” said Dr Ihekweazu. “People living in shelters can face many health challenges, such as poor access to safe water, food, and health services. We work with local officials to ensure these essential services remain available. A key area is making sure the disease surveillance system in shelters detects illnesses quickly, to make sure people get care and reduce the spread.”
As well as in shelters, WHO is supporting the Ministry of Public Health and partners to deliver health services in underserved areas across the country, ensuring the provision of essential supplies such as medicines for chronic conditions, and training health workers on how to manage mass casualty events, and to provide mental health support.
“WHO has been working closely with the Ministry of Public Health and partners for years. This work is paying off in how resilient the health system has been so far,” said Dr Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO Representative in Lebanon. “However, the current humanitarian needs are increasing, and sustained international support is critical to ensure continuity of care, especially for the most vulnerable.”
In the Lebanon Flash Appeal for March–May 2026, health partners require an additional US$ 37 million to sustain emergency health operations and prevent further deterioration of public health outcomes.
The mission included a meeting with health sector partners to discuss challenges including funding constraints, and how to strengthen the collective response.
Dr Ihekweazu met with WHO staff in Lebanon, thanking them for their dedication and commitment over the years, delivering support under challenging conditions. He reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to the safety and wellbeing of its personnel.
WHO will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Public Health and partners to ensure equitable and inclusive access to essential health services for all, but further funding is needed to make this happen. Ultimately, peace is what the people of Lebanon and the wider region need. WHO urges all parties to work towards a resolution and to safeguard lives.
