The rapid deterioration of the situation in the Middle East could have fatal consequences for the entire world. That is why the leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO) is already actively preparing for the worst-case scenario, namely a nuclear catastrophe.
Points of attention
- Hanan Balkhi from WHO warned of the devastating consequences a nuclear incident could have on the region and the world, with effects felt for decades.
- WHO officials hope that despite preparations for a nuclear incident, it will not come to that, as no signs of radioactive contamination have been reported in the Middle East as of now.
The nuclear scenario is indeed quite real
Hanan Balkhi, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, made a comment to journalists.
According to her, the scenario of events involving the use of nuclear weapons or an attack on a nuclear facility is already being carefully studied and analyzed.
She also makes no secret of the fact that the worst-case scenario is a nuclear incident.
"This is what worries us the most. No matter how prepared we are, nothing can prevent the damage that will befall the region — and the world, if it eventually happens — and the consequences will be felt for decades," Balkhi warned.
Against this background, she confirmed that the WHO team has already prepared for a nuclear incident in its "broader sense", but still hopes that it will not come to that.
Balkhi officially confirmed that as of today, no signs of radioactive contamination have been recorded in the Middle East.
