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WHO is preparing for potential nuclear emergencies amid the West Asia conflict. Dr Hanan Balkhy confirmed training for radiation emergencies. No radiation detected yet.
Hanan Balkhy, World Health Organization Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean (Image: AFP)
As the war in West Asia entered its 20th day, the officials at the World Health Organization (WHO) are preparing for the possibility of an attack on nuclear facilities, which they say can cause long-term global consequences.
Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, confirmed that the health body is actively planning for a potential nuclear emergency scenario, said a report by Politico.
“The worst-case scenario is a nuclear incident, and that’s what worries us most,” Balkhy said.
Preparedness Amid Escalating Conflict
According to WHO officials, teams are being trained to respond to radiation-related emergencies in case of nuclear use. Balkhy said the organisation is monitoring developments closely and remains “vigilant” about how far the crisis could escalate.
The preparedness measures include planning for a “broader sense” of nuclear risk, she said, “We are thinking about it, and we’re just really hoping that it does not happen,” she added.
WHO is “refreshing” staff on how to respond during bombing or a nuclear incident, said the official, adding that the staffs are being guided about long-term health risks linked to radiation exposure, the outlet reported.
Global Impact Could Last Decades
WHO has warned that any nuclear incident would have devastating and long-lasting consequences not just for the West Asia, but globally.
“Nothing can prevent the damage… the consequences are going to last for decades,” Balkhy cautioned.
Health experts highlighted that radiation exposure could lead to immediate injuries such as lung and skin damage while also increasing long-term risks, including cancer and mental health disorders.
“I think those who read the history of previous incidents, whether intentional or accidental, are very aware of what we’re talking about,” Balkhy said.
No Radiation Detected Yet, But Risks Rising
The report said that despite the heightened alert, WHO officials have clarified that no abnormal radiation levels have been detected in the war-ridden so far.
However, the warning comes against the backdrop of intensifying military activity, including reported strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure by Israel and growing fears of a wider regional war.
Attack on Health System
According to the WHO, so far 46 attacks have been recorded in Iran and Lebanon, leaving 38 dead and many injured since the conflict started on February 28. As many as 14 health workers in Lebanon were killed in two strikes on March 13, including an attack on the Bourj Qalaouiyeh primary health care centre in the south of the country, the report said.
Escalating Conflict In West Asia
The United States President Donald Trump on Thursday warned that the US would “blow up” Iran’s South Pars gas field if attacks on Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities continue, saying he would not hesitate to act if Tehran targets Qatari energy infrastructure again.
Trump issued the threat after Iranian missiles struck multiple LNG facilities in Qatar, an attack Tehran described as retaliation for Israel’s strike on the offshore South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf, which Iran shares with Qatar.
Meanwhile, millions of Iranians are facing another, quieter disruption: a near-total internet blackout that has cut the country off from the world
March 19, 2026, 5:59 PM IST
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