Addressing what he called “recent claims” about WHO’s authority over countries’ public health decisions, Dr. Tedros firmly stated that WHO does not have the power to impose mandates such as travel bans, lockdowns, or vaccination requirements.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, issued a stark warning on Wednesday about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, describing a deadly surge in malnutrition and hunger-related deaths among the besieged population of 2.1 million.
Speaking at a media briefing from WHO headquarters in Geneva, Dr. Tedros said Gaza’s people are now facing “another killer on top of bombs and bullets: starvation.” He revealed that since July 17, severe acute malnutrition (SAM) centres in Gaza have reached capacity and are struggling to treat new cases due to a lack of emergency food supplies.
“In 2025 alone, WHO has documented 21 deaths related to malnutrition among children under five,” he said. “More than 10 per cent of children are suffering from global acute malnutrition, and over 20 per cent of screened pregnant and breastfeeding women are severely malnourished.”
Food Crisis Deepens
Dr. Tedros attributed the worsening hunger crisis to the collapse of aid pipelines and ongoing restrictions on humanitarian access. From early March to mid-May, no food entered Gaza due to a total blockade, and although some deliveries have resumed since, they remain “far below what is needed for survival.”
“Parents tell us their children cry themselves to sleep from hunger,” he said, noting that food distribution sites have become dangerous flashpoints. Between May 27 and July 21, health authorities reported 1,026 deaths of people attempting to access food at distribution points.
The situation is exacerbated by a dire shortage of clean water, with 95 per cent of Gaza households lacking sufficient daily access to drinking and cooking water. Additionally, nearly 90 per cent of Gaza’s territory is now under evacuation orders or within militarized zones, rendering aid delivery and healthcare access nearly impossible.
WHO Operations Targeted
Dr. Tedros condemned a recent attack on WHO personnel in Deir al-Balah, where staff and their families came under fire. The WHO residence was stormed by Israeli military forces, leading to the detention of one staff member and the forced evacuation of women and children amid active conflict.
“Our main warehouse, containing vital medicines and supplies, was also severely damaged,” he said. “This is severely compromising our operational presence and pushing survival even further out of reach for over two million people.”
Despite the challenges, Dr. Tedros affirmed WHO’s commitment to remain in Gaza, calling for the protection of UN personnel, civilians, and healthcare services. He also reiterated demands for unimpeded humanitarian aid and the immediate release of hostages.
Syria and Global Health Attacks
The Director-General also raised alarm over deteriorating conditions in Syria, particularly in As-Sweida, where hospitals face critical shortages of staff, electricity, and medical supplies. He emphasized the importance of protecting health care facilities and personnel in conflict zones.
“Health care must never be a target,” he stressed. “Safe and sustained humanitarian access in Gaza, Syria, and all humanitarian settings is critical.”
Clarifying WHO’s Role in Global Health Policy
Addressing what he called “recent claims” about WHO’s authority over countries’ public health decisions, Dr. Tedros firmly stated that WHO does not have the power to impose mandates such as travel bans, lockdowns, or vaccination requirements.
“WHO cannot tell countries what to do,” he said. “All recommendations are evidence-based and non-binding. The implementation is solely up to each Member State.”
He clarified that the International Health Regulations (IHR), their amendments, and the new Pandemic Agreement are the result of negotiations by WHO’s 194 Member States—not directives imposed by WHO itself.
“These documents were developed by countries, for countries,” Dr. Tedros explained. “Our job is to provide science-based guidance and support, nothing more.”
Updates on the Pandemic Agreement
He also provided an update on the Intergovernmental Working Group, established to negotiate the annex on pathogen access and benefit sharing, a key component of the Pandemic Agreement. The group aims to present the completed annex at the next World Health Assembly in May 2026.
“This agreement builds on lessons learned from COVID-19,” he said. “It is designed to ensure stronger cooperation and coordination in the face of future pandemics.”
Vaccine Inequity and Measles Resurgence
WHO’s joint report with UNICEF on global immunization revealed that although vaccine coverage has modestly improved, an estimated 14.3 million children received no vaccines in 2024, with millions more partially immunized.
Conflict-affected regions were found to be particularly vulnerable, contributing to a resurgence of measles, one of the most infectious diseases. In 2024, 60 countries experienced major measles outbreaks—nearly double the number in 2022.
“Access and vaccine hesitancy remain critical barriers,” Dr. Tedros said. He encouraged the public to seek accurate vaccine information from trusted health sources.
Breakthrough in HIV Prevention
In a more hopeful development, Dr. Tedros announced new WHO guidelines for the use of Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking injectable HIV prevention drug. Offering protection for six months with over 96 per cent efficacy, the drug is expected to be a game-changer in HIV prevention.
WHO is working with nine early adopter countries and six generic manufacturers to make the drug more widely available, with the aim of broad distribution by 2027.
Progress in Disease Elimination
The briefing closed on a positive note with the announcement that Suriname has been certified malaria-free, becoming the 47th country or territory to achieve this status. Additionally, trachoma has been eliminated as a public health problem in Burundi and Senegal, bringing the total number of countries to eliminate at least one neglected tropical disease to 57.
Dr. Tedros also marked World Drowning Prevention Day—observed this Friday—by underscoring the importance of low-cost interventions to prevent child drownings, which continue to claim hundreds of thousands of lives annually.
“This is a day to remind ourselves that many of the greatest threats to life are preventable,” he said.
