Geneva, April 4 (IANS). Tension is at its peak in the Middle East. On February 28, America and Israel attacked major cities of Iran in a joint air strike. In response, Iran also fired missiles. From children to the elderly, people are losing their lives amid the shelling. Health workers are also in this list. The World Health Organization is continuously releasing figures which are as painful as they are scary.
According to WHO, in the first few weeks itself, about 3,300 people became victims of the shells raining from the sky, and more than 43 lakh people were injured.
This chilling truth was told by Hanan Balkhi, the World Health Organization’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, as she observed the impact of the first weeks of the Iran conflict.
Balkhi told a media briefing that the fighting had led to one of the “biggest crises” in recent decades, with painful consequences. More than 3,300 people have lost their lives, more than 30 thousand people have been injured and more than 4.3 million (43 lakh) have been rendered homeless. Not only this, during this period 116 attacks were carried out on health centres. Not only this, many industrial units, emergency services and important infrastructure were also targeted.
He said that the kind of picture that is emerging in the Middle East is very painful. This is the biggest tragedy in the region in recent decades. According to him, the health system has completely collapsed. More people than necessary are taking shelter in refugee camps. Not only this, the current situation is also not good for the environment. People are facing the risks of biological, nuclear and radioactive radiation. This is a cause of crisis for the entire region.
Balkhi appealed to all parties to exercise restraint and cease fire. Also sought a guarantee to ensure the safety of health workers and health centers working in these areas.
–IANS
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