More than a week after the start of a strict lockdown in Lebanon, the number of reported COVID-19 daily cases remain very high with a 7-day average of more than 4,600 daily new cases (as of January 20, 2021). As a result, the government announced on Thursday, January 21 that the 24-hour lockdown will be extended for two weeks, until Monday, February 8.

After a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck the West Sulawesi Province in Indonesia on January 15, Project HOPE is assessing public safety and health needs with the goal to deliver emergency aid.

More than four weeks after Hurricanes Eta and Iota hit Central America, several thousand Hondurans remain without access to clean water and health services. Most water sources in the Santa Barbara department in Honduras are contaminated, exposing the population to illnesses such as water-borne and skin diseases, warns Project HOPE. In addition, more than one hundred health facilities remain inoperative across affected areas.

While Lebanon’s government could soon end subsidies on medicines, the health care sector in Lebanon is at risk of collapse, warns Project HOPE. Many Lebanese already cannot afford to buy medicines because of the country’s inflation and insufficient drug supplies. Ending the government support to medications can have a detrimental effect on the population’s health.

The armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh has caused many displaced persons to take refuge at transitional settlements across Armenia. Several thousand people are suffering from life-threatening health conditions and inadequate access to health care services.

For the foreseeable future, climate change will pose an even greater threat to safety, public health systems and our strained global health workforce than the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to data by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS, COVID-19 deaths have surpassed AIDS deaths recorded in 2019 and are on track to surpass tuberculosis-related deaths as a leading cause of death.

As coronavirus cases surge and set new daily records in the U.S. and globally, Dr. Thomas Kenyon issued the following statements urging personal safety and public health precautions for winter holiday travel and gatherings.

The number of COVID-19 infections in the aftermath of Hurricane Eta in Honduras has increased with more than 2100 new cases and 68 deaths recorded over the last 7 days. Cases are likely to rise even more as testing has increased in the aftermath of Hurricane Eta and as COVID-19 potentially spreads among displaced populations, warns Project HOPE. Immediate action to address personal safety and public health protections are of urgent importance, with aid prioritizing frontline local health workers.

Business Roundtable & Healthcare Ready to Receive Project HOPE’s Global Health Awards at First-Ever Virtual Gala to Honor Recipients & Front-line Medical Workers