“The Middle East is today facing the twin threats of potential mass virus outbreaks in conflict zones and looming socio-economic upheaval. Both crises could have severe humanitarian consequences,” said Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC director for the Near and Middle East. The ICRC statement did not refer to Iran, which has the region’s biggest outbreak, but a spokeswoman said it was supporting the Iranian Red Crescent society. Millions in the Middle East already lack health care, food, water and electricity in conflict-hit countries where prices are rising and infrastructure damaged, the ICRC said. Three of the ICRC’s five biggest aid operations worldwide last year were in the Middle East - Syria, Yemen and Iraq.

Source: bd News24 April 16, 2020 09:56 UTC