WHO and PAHO Partner to Strengthen Hospital Resilience in Crisis Zones

Cairo, Egypt – February 25, 2026 – The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have formalized a collaboration aimed at bolstering the resilience of hospitals in regions prone to health emergencies and disasters. This partnership seeks to ensure that healthcare facilities remain operational and capable of delivering life-saving care amidst growing global instability and resource constraints.

Addressing Strain on Healthcare Systems

Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighted the immense strain on hospitals across the region, noting that many are directly impacted by attacks. The Eastern Mediterranean Region faces significant humanitarian challenges, hosting over half of the world’s population in need of humanitarian assistance and accounting for 40% of global attacks on healthcare facilities [WHO EMRO]. Strengthening hospital resilience is therefore critical for saving lives and maintaining essential services during crises.

Implementing the Resilient Hospitals Operational Framework

The agreement between EMRO and PAHO will focus on implementing the Resilient Hospitals Operational Framework. This framework provides a practical approach to preparing health facilities to continue functioning throughout the disaster risk management cycle, utilizing an all-hazards approach. The goal is to ensure hospitals remain safe, functional and capable of delivering essential services before, during, and after emergencies [WHO EMRO]. The collaboration will involve joint development of tools and guidance, capacity-building initiatives, and coordinated resource mobilization to reinforce infrastructure, protect health workers, and secure critical supplies.

Leveraging PAHO’s Expertise

Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director, emphasized the importance of collective capacity building to anticipate, absorb, adapt, and recover from shocks. He stated that by combining technical expertise and targeted support to priority countries, the partnership will translate commitment into measurable action, sustaining essential health services when populations need them most [PAHO].

Alignment with Regional Priorities

This agreement aligns with EMRO’s three regional flagship priorities: strengthening health supply chains, expanding workforce capacity, and integrating mental health and substance use services. It reinforces hospitals as the cornerstone of resilient health systems.

Next Steps and Ongoing Support

In the coming months, EMRO and PAHO will translate the agreement into concrete technical support for countries, including risk assessments, operational guidance, and targeted capacity-building. This will ensure that even in the most fragile and high-risk settings, hospitals remain a reliable source of protection for communities.

PAHO’s extensive experience in protecting health facilities from disasters – including earthquakes, hurricanes, and disease outbreaks – and ensuring new facilities are built to withstand future risks will inform the joint work under this agreement, promoting practical solutions tailored to national needs [PAHO].