WHO Launches $2 Million Emergency Intervention to Prevent Disease Outbreaks and Sustain Essential Health Services in Islamic Republic of Iran

Since 28 February 2026, aerial bombardments have critically undermined Iran’s capacity to deliver life-saving health services. The toll on civilian health infrastructure has been devastating, with an estimated 229 healthcare centers, 49 hospitals, 78 pharmaceutical facilities, laboratories, warehouses damaged, 56 emergency bases struck, nine hospitals evacuated, and 47 ambulances and 10 support vehicles destroyed. Furthermore, attacks on or near pharmaceutical and diagnostic production facilities have severely disrupted domestic medical supply chains, interrupting the delivery of critical care to those who need it most.

Simultaneously, southern Iran faces an elevated public health emergency driven by climatic shocks. Irregular and intermittently above-average rainfall following prolonged dry periods during the 2025–2026 season has triggered localized flooding and standing water. High-risk provinces, including Sistan and Baluchistan, Hormozgan, Kerman, and Khuzestan, are experiencing increased exposure to contaminated water sources. Combined with conflict-related disruptions to water, sanitation, and disease surveillance infrastructure, there is a significantly heightened risk of vector-borne and waterborne diseases, particularly cholera and acute watery diarrhea.

"The combined weight of ongoing conflict and severe climatic shocks has placed an unprecedented strain on Iran's health infrastructure, leaving vulnerable communities at severe risk," said Dr Jean Jabbour, WHO Representative and Head of Mission to the Islamic Republic of Iran. " This timely and critical emergency response is instrumental in preventing further health system collapse. It allows us to act immediately to safeguard essential supply chains and ensure that life-saving care remains accessible to the populations most acutely affected by this crisis."

Without urgent action, localized transmission could rapidly escalate into widespread outbreaks, causing preventable morbidity and mortality. To catalyze an immediate response, WHO is deploying a focused package of high-impact interventions. This strategy prioritizes strengthening early warning surveillance systems and pre-positioning priority outbreak response commodities, including rapid diagnostic tests for malaria, dengue, and cholera. The intervention also encompasses the distribution of insecticidal nets, spraying equipment, and larvicides, alongside rapid technical assistance to reinforce integrated vector management in high-risk districts. Furthermore, WHO is restoring vital testing capacity by replacing destroyed real-time polymerase chain reaction devices and ensuring uninterrupted access to essential medicines, including immediate malaria treatment.

"With standing water from recent floods and severe damage to local health facilities, the risk of disease outbreaks is dangerously high," stated Dr Mikiko Senga, the WHO Health Emergency Programme Lead at the WHO Country Office in Iran. "By rapidly deploying these diagnostic tools, vector control materials, and essential treatments, we are augmenting our early warning capacities to intercept these threats before they escalate into wider public health emergencies."

Over the next six months, this intervention will directly benefit an estimated 112,500 people through augmented epidemic control and restored medical access. At least an additional 272,550 people will be protected indirectly through strengthened response capacities and reduced outbreak risks. Ultimately, this comprehensive effort is designed to avert avoidable outbreaks and sustain the vital flow of essential health services when they are needed most.