Amman, Oct. 1 (Petra) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) urged member states in the Eastern Mediterranean region to speed up implementation of the regional action plan on mental health and Psychosocial support in emergencies (2024-2030). It also called for making the plan an integral part of emergency preparedness, response and recovery systems.

The call came during virtual discussions ahead of WHO's 73rd Regional Committee session. The discussions highlighted progress made, resource gaps and lessons learned from countries' experiences in handling crises.

WHO said the region is among the world's most affected by emergencies. This year, it is responding to about 14 graded emergencies, eight of them Grade three.

It said escalating violence in the Middle East has led to a multi-country health emergency. The emergency has caused mass casualties and displacement and placed severe strain on health systems in 14 countries and territories in the region.

According to the report, about 117 million people in the region need humanitarian assistance. The region hosts 46 percent of the world's internally displaced people and has three of the largest displacement crises worldwide.

Mental health conditions affect about 15.7 percent of the region's population, above the global average. Treatment gaps reach 90 percent in some low- and middle-income countries because of persistent shortages of human and financial resources, the report said.

WHO urged member states to integrate mental health and psychosocial support services into national disaster risk management and emergency preparedness plans.

It also called for sustainable funding, building local evidence, and empowering affected communities and people with lived experience, to protect people's wellbeing and build resilient health systems.

//Petra// NQ

01/10/2026 12:54:57