World Health Organization’s Director for Eastern Mediterranean Region on World Humanitarian Day 

Dr Hanan Balkhy – The World Health Organization Regional Director for Eastern Mediterranean Region

The World Humanitarian Day, established after the 2003 Canal Hotel bombing in Iraq, honours the courage of humanitarian workers who risk their lives to save others.

This year, in the region where World Humanitarian Day (WHD) began, the Eastern Mediterranean faces some of its darkest humanitarian crises.

Humanitarian needs have never been greater, yet funding has fallen to historic lows. Aid workers now face impossible choices over who receives help and who is left behind.

This must change—urgently, before it is too late.

Against this grim backdrop, humanitarian workers are facing unprecedented attacks. Last year was the deadliest on record for aid workers worldwide—and 2025 is already set to be even worse.

So far in 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) has verified 382 attacks on health care across the Eastern Mediterranean Region, resulting in 1,040 deaths and 324 injuries.

Almost 80 per cent of attacks reported in 2025 occurred in the occupied Palestinian territory, while almost 90 per cent of all deaths occurred in Sudan.

Aid workers in Afghanistan, Iran, Lebanon, Somalia, and Syria and Yemen have also been targeted and killed this year.

Dozens of aid workers in Yemen continue to be arbitrarily detained, including one WHO staff member. We call for their unconditional and immediate release.

Just weeks ago, the World Health Organization staff and their families in Gaza were subjected to humiliating treatment and forcibly evacuated from our staff housing in Deir al-Balah. One staff member remains detained―we demand his immediate release.

I want to acknowledge the extraordinary bravery of health and humanitarian workers across the Region who continue to deliver lifesaving care under the most challenging conditions.

Even as health care itself comes under attack and their own lives are at risk, they persevere with courage and dedication.

Day after day, conflict after conflict, the world is failing humanitarian workers and the people they serve.

This must end. If we cannot protect those who protect others, we forfeit our shared humanity.

On this World Humanitarian Day, we renew our call to all parties to conflict:

· To uphold international humanitarian law

· To protect civilians and humanitarians

I also repeat our calls to the international community:

· To use all available channels to press for ceasefires and peace.

· To match the scale of humanitarian needs with sufficient funding.

· To restore the health, well-being and dignity of all people in need across the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Millions of lives are at stake. We must Act For Humanity, now.

The world is watching.