Lebanon: WHO Health Emergency Appeal 2025

Industry Overview - Lebanon's health sector is under immense strain due to socio-economic deterioration, regional instability, and recent escalations in violence, with over 1.3 million internally displaced people and 80% of Lebanese citizens and 90% of Syrian refugees affected by poverty [16] - The health system faces unprecedented challenges, including the closure of 130 primary health centers and 7 hospitals, nearly 4000 fatalities, and over 16,000 injuries due to military escalation [2] - The crisis is compounded by shortages of medical supplies, skilled health personnel, and essential medicines, leaving vulnerable populations without access to critical treatments [9] Humanitarian Needs and Funding - 3.7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, including 2.2 million Lebanese, 1.3 million Syrian refugees, 119,000 Palestinian refugees, and 87,000 migrants [1] - The funding requirement for the 2025 humanitarian emergency is USD 48 million, with the largest allocation for safe and scalable care (USD 37,988,000) and essential health systems and services (USD 26,678,000) [26] WHO's Strategic Objectives and Activities - WHO's 2025 strategy focuses on strengthening disease surveillance, enhancing laboratory capacity, improving emergency response capabilities, expanding mental health support, and ensuring continuity of essential healthcare [15] - Key activities include training 500 healthcare workers in data collection, upgrading laboratories, distributing 100 trauma kits, and training 1000 health workers in trauma care and mass casualty management [15] - WHO aims to stabilize Lebanon's healthcare system, expand access to critical services, and foster collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and partners [12] Achievements and Ongoing Efforts - In 2024, WHO delivered 225 metric tons of medical supplies, established mobile medical units, and strengthened disease surveillance, which helped detect and contain a cholera outbreak [18] - The Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC) coordinated Lebanon's emergency health response during a Beirut explosion, directing 2800 victims to hospitals and managing logistics [8] - WHO has trained over 5600 healthcare workers in mass casualty management and supported the PHEOC with essential equipment and technical assistance [22] Partnerships and Coordination - WHO collaborates with MoPH, UNHCR, and 58 health partners under the health sector coordination mechanism, leveraging Lebanon's existing humanitarian and developmental architecture [20] - WHO's partnership with MoPH includes supporting Lebanon's transition to health resilience through early recovery efforts, such as restoring health infrastructure and addressing workforce shortages [19] Future Plans - WHO's 2025 strategy includes a dual approach to meet immediate health needs and early recovery goals, focusing on mass casualty management, trauma care, and sustaining essential healthcare services [28] - The strategy aligns with Lebanon's National Health Strategy Vision 2030, prioritizing strengthened health system governance, expanded primary healthcare, and greater self-sufficiency in essential medical supplies [3]