TEHRAN - The escalation of violence erupted by the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran has produced multi-layered public health emergencies across the Eastern Mediterranean Region that demand immediate, coordinated, and well-resourced response.

Data show that 21 countries have been affected globally, 14 countries have been affected in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and 115 million people already needed humanitarian assistance before this current escalation (almost 50% of all people-in-need globally).

Trauma and Emergency Care: Rapidly increasing trauma caseloads and mass casualty incidents are overwhelming frontline hospitals and trauma centers across the region. Facilities lack adequate trauma kits, surgical supplies, blood bank capacity, and trained personnel to manage the surge. 

Essential Medicines & Supplies: Acute shortages of life-saving medicines, chronic disease medications, diagnostics, and emergency medical equipment have been reported across the region. Some countries have depleted the pre-positioned stocks following emergency distributions. 

Disease Surveillance & Outbreak Risk: Population displacement into overcrowded collective shelters, interrupted immunization services, damaged water and sanitation infrastructure, and weakened public health systems create conditions highly conducive to communicable disease outbreaks including acute watery diarrhea, measles, and respiratory infections. 

Health Coordination: Health sector coordination mechanisms are under strain. The Public Health Emergency Operations Centers (PHEOCs) require surge operational support to maintain real-time risk assessment, partner coordination, and evidence-based decision-making. 

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Risks: The potential attacks on nuclear facilities and oil fields cause legitimate concerns about radio-nuclear and environmental contamination risk, requiring specialized public health surveillance and preparedness capacity that exceeds existing national capabilities.

Oil storage facilities and refineries in Iran have been struck, triggering fires and raising serious concerns on air quality and associated public health risks. Petroleum fires release toxic pollutants that can affect respiratory health and contaminate air and water.

Health facilities, health workers, patients and ambulances are protected under international humanitarian law, and all parties must ensure they are respected and protected at all times.

In Iran, more than 1,255 people have been killed and 15,103 injured since the beginning of the ongoing conflict on February 28 until March 11. People injured include: 1,402 women and 700 children under the age of 18 years. More than 12,495 injured people have been treated and discharged, while 1,682 remained hospitalized. 

More than 100,000 people have relocated due to insecurity since February 28. These figures are likely an underestimate, as population movements are expected to be significantly higher across the country.

Also, 18 attacks on health care centers have been verified, resulting in 8 deaths. The Ministry of Health reports that primary health care centres (PHCs) remain functional and continue to provide services to pregnant women, infants, and people with chronic diseases. 

During the first five days of the conflict, 27 deliveries were attended for pregnant women who had travelled to the northern part of the country. Strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure have prompted concerns about severe environmental and health risks. 

Iranian authorities have published instructions on protection against acidic rainfall following the attacks on oil storage facilities and the massive release of toxic hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen compounds into the air. According to Tehran’s Water and Wastewater Company, no contamination of water resources has been reported. 

In Lebanon, the Ministry of Health reported at least 634 deaths and more than 1,586 injuries. More than one million people are now affected by the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, with casualty figures continuing to rise. 

International Organization for Migration is reporting more than 816,700 people displaced with 125,800 registered in 590 collective shelters. Twelve of these shelters are equipped to receive people with physical disabilities. 

A significant number of people remain in hard to reach or high risk areas, including older persons, persons with disabilities, and individuals with limited mobility who face barriers to evacuation and access to assistance. 

Also, 26 attacks on health care centers have been verified resulting in 16 deaths and 45 injuries. Four health facilities have sustained partial damage. As a result of military evacuation orders, 47 PHCs and 5 hospitals have closed.

In Gaza, eighteen of 36 hospitals are non-functional, and health services remain under strain. The Ministry of Health reports that 46% of essential medicines and 66% of medical consumables are at zero stock. Surgical consumables and trauma supplies are critically low. 

In Iraq, The Ministry of Health has taken initial measures to strengthen health sector readiness in response to the evolving security situation. These measures include updating the national emergency preparedness and response plan and identifying priority hospitals to manage potential mass casualty incidents.

In Syria, an estimated 16.5 million people require humanitarian assistance, including 15 million who need health services. More than six million people remain displaced, while nearly three million returnees are returning to areas where health infrastructure, staffing, and medicines remain severely stretched.

In Kuwait, the Ministry of Health has activated its health emergency plans raising the level of preparedness in health facilities, in addition to intensifying environmental and preventative monitoring measures. 

In Bahrain, the health system and hospitals in Bahrain remain operational as part of national health response readiness and emergency coordination led by the Ministry of Interior and supported by the Ministry of Health.

In Qatar, the National Emergency Operations Center has been activated and conducted risk assessments to monitor potential public health risks. The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has also activated policies to facilitate access to and replenishment of essential medicines for people in need, including individuals stranded in the country.