Statement by the WHO EMRO Director, Dr Hanan Balkhy on the International Day for Epidemic Preparedness 2025.
"In a Region of 750 million people—where more than 62 outbreaks were recorded across 19 countries in 2025—the need for resilient, equitable and community-centred health systems is unmistakable. The lessons from our overlapping emergencies are clear: preparedness starts with communities, and it is achieved only when every community is protected." Dr Hanan Balkhy during the observance of the International Day for Epidemic Preparedness 2025 .