Cairo/Riyadh, 29 July 2021 – As the hajj season for 2021 concludes, WHO’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean  acknowledges the efforts of Saudi Arabia in successfully implementating health and safety measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic resullting in no cases of COVID-19 or other illnesses reported among pilgrims. “This year’s hajj came...

26 July 2021, Manama, Bahrain – Today, WHO officially opened a country office in Bahrain. Located in the capital city of Manama, the new office is the 20th WHO country office to open in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region, and the 152nd WHO country office globally.  The office will enable WHO to work on the ground with national health authorities,...

18 July 2021 - As we approach the Eid al-Adha feast, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my brothers and sisters in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and beyond a blessed, safe, and healthy Eid. Over the past 19 months, our lives have changed in ways we never could have imagined. As individuals, communities, countries, and as...

13 July 2021 – After a decline in COVID-19 cases and deaths across WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region for 8 consecutive weeks, several countries are seeing a significant increase in new cases and deaths.  Significant increases in COVID-19 cases have been reported from Libya, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, and Tunisia. Lebanon and Morocco have...

13 July 2021 – More than one million people in Bahrain have received 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, ensuring that almost 70% of the population is now provided with an additional layer of protection against the virus. The vaccines were provided to people in the country free of charge and regardless of their citizenship status, in line with WHO’s...

World Mask Week is a global movement to emphasize the critical role of continued masking in reaching the end of the COVID-19 pandemic 12 July 2021, Cairo — WHO’s Easter Mediterranean Region has joined forces with the Pandemic Action Network and partners in support of World Mask Week, July 12-18, 2021. Masking in public, particularly, in crowded...

11 July 2021 – WHO welcomes the extension of UN Security Council Resolution 2165 for cross-border aid into northwest Syria for an additional 6 months, with the proposed extension of a further 6 months subject to the Secretary General’s report.  The continuation of this large, UN-led humanitarian operation is vital to reach those most in need.   WHO...

7 July 2021 –  In the Eastern Mediterranean Region today, cases of COVID-19 are on the rise after 2 months of steady decline, and we are once again seeing countries struggling to contain infection and protect their populations, while at the same time keeping their borders open and their economies active. As we continue into the summer months, we are...

24 June 2021 – I would like to welcome you all to this virtual media briefing on the COVID-19 situation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. We are glad to have with us today, Dr Hany Jokhdar, Deputy Minister of Health of Saudi Arabia, and Dr Ibrahim El-Ziq, WHO Representative in Saudi Arabia, to discuss the preparations for this year's hajj...

Rome/Geneva/New York, 18 June 2021 – Millions of people are pressed up against the border in an active war zone in north-west Syria and remain in need of humanitarian aid to survive. The UN needs cross-border and cross-line access to reach those most in need. We call for the renewal of Security Council authorization for cross-border operations...