Donate
Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2026
CONTACT:
Prapti Ajmera, [email protected], 202-867-5231
MedGlobal Warns of Severe Humanitarian Consequences as Conflict Escalates Across the Middle East
MedGlobal, a leading humanitarian organization providing medical aid around the world, is deeply alarmed by the consequences of escalating violence in the Middle East on vulnerable civilians across the region.
Already, violence has spread beyond Iran and Israel to other countries including Lebanon, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. With civilians across these countries already killed, injured and displaced, further escalation of violence poses grave dangers to exposed communities and strained health systems.
“For millions of civilians already enduring humanitarian crises with limited healthcare access, a regional war risks turning a precarious situation to catastrophic,” said Dr. Zaher Sahloul, president and co-founder of MedGlobal. “Leaders should do everything in their power to promote peaceful solutions – and to ensure that healthcare and humanitarian workers are able to do their critical work without fear of attack or disruption.”
“Today, Beirut woke up to the sound we all hoped we would never have to hear again,” said Tania Baban, MedGlobal’s Country Director in Lebanon. “Airstrikes.” In Lebanon, where MedGlobal provides emergency medical aid and primary healthcare – including via Mobile Medical Units in conflict-afflicted areas – renewed bombing has already displaced tens of thousands of people in the last few days, many of whom were previously displaced and already struggling to access shelter, food and medication.
In Gaza, where MedGlobal teams have been at the forefront of delivering lifesaving services and nutritional support, border crossings were closed reducing already limited access to humanitarian supplies including medicines and food. MedGlobal teams have already noted a sharp rise in food prices.
“In Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and other parts of this region, access to basic necessities of survival – including medicine and healthcare – was already tenuous,” said Joseph Belliveau, executive director of MedGlobal. “This new wave of violence risks the lives and wellbeing of hundreds of thousands already living in vulnerable circumstances. Now is the time for political leaders to act humanely, avoid violence toward civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance.”
MedGlobal calls for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure under International Humanitarian law, including protecting healthcare facilities and medical personnel, and facilitating humanitarian access.
###
MedGlobal is a humanitarian nonprofit organization that provides emergency response and health programs to build resilience among vulnerable communities around the world. The organization’s health programs support victims of crisis and conflict, refugees, internally displaced persons, and marginalized communities in disaster-affected and low-resource settings.
