AGP Executive Report

Forced Displacement Watch: UNHCR reports global forced displacement fell for the first time in a decade to 117.8 million in 2025, but returns are often to fragile conditions—especially in Syria—meaning millions remain trapped in long-term exile. Humanitarian Access & Refugee Services: UNRWA’s interim commissioner-general wrapped a visit to Egypt, praising Cairo’s support while warning about UNRWA’s operational and financial strain and the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. Food Security in Syria Region: Euphrates floods forced new displacement in Deir Ezzor and Raqqa, with water surging, farmland hit, and children struggling to eat and sleep in crowded shelters. Local Health & Safety: A doctor in Pakistan was attacked with acid in a hospital, highlighting workplace security gaps for medical staff. Return to Afrin: The final convoy of displaced Kurdish families returned to Afrin, ending nearly nine years of displacement for thousands. Jordan Support for Neighbors: Jordan dispatched a mobile bakery to Lebanon to boost daily bread supply, alongside other food and medical aid efforts. HIV Education Funding: The National AIDS Memorial and Gilead Foundation announced a major investment to expand HIV/AIDS education and community leadership.

Humanitarian Displacement: UNHCR says the global number of forcibly displaced people fell for the first time in a decade in 2025, to 117.8 million, but warns most refugees remain stuck in long-term displacement with reintegration often happening in fragile conditions. Food Security: A new WFP warning links the Iran war and Gulf shipping disruptions to a hunger surge, with 45 million more people facing critical food insecurity and long-term harm to children’s physical and cognitive health. Conflict and Health Impact: An Explosive Weapons Monitor report says 56% of global civilian deaths from explosive weapons in 2025 were attributed to Israeli armed forces, and highlights continued attacks on healthcare facilities and workers. Syria-Adjacent Refugee Pressure: Türkiye’s temporary protection population for Syrians has dropped to about 2.2 million since returns after Dec. 8, 2024, while irregular crossings are also being intercepted. Regional Safety of Care Infrastructure: The IAEA condemned a drone strike that damaged power supply at the Barakah nuclear plant, warning that attacks on safety infrastructure are unacceptable. Local Health Context: Turkey’s Erdogan accused Israel of threatening regional stability, while Lebanon’s health authorities report rising casualties from strikes.

Lebanon Health Toll: Lebanon’s health ministry says Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed about 3,696 people and injured 11,413, with the wider emergency response still stretched. War’s Health Impact: Reports also describe ongoing strikes in Tyre and other southern areas, with evacuations and repeated disruptions to access to pharmacies and basic supplies—raising immediate risks for patients and medics. Syria Water & Health Services: Syria shut the final Euphrates Dam spillway gates after two weeks of flooding; officials say drinking-water facilities were hit and relief efforts are underway while releases normalize. Syria Rights & Access: A Syrian nationality law reform debate highlights barriers for some Syrians abroad—like women who can’t pass nationality equally—affecting return, study, and work access. Regional Escalation: The U.S. says it carried out “self-defense” strikes after an Apache was downed near the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran and Israel trade further blows—fueling fears of more humanitarian strain across the region. Public Health in Conflict Zones: Satellite imagery and strike reports point to damage at key airbases, underscoring how quickly health systems can be destabilized by renewed attacks.

Euphrates Dam Update: Syria’s engineers shut the final spillway gates at the Euphrates Dam after a two-week emergency release triggered severe flooding, with water flow returning to about 700 cubic meters per second and releases routed through turbines to restore electricity. Conflict & Health in Lebanon: Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon hit Tyre and nearby towns, killing civilians and injuring medics; Lebanon’s health authorities report thousands dead and injured since March 2, while UN-linked damage estimates put destruction at over $365 million and hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of debris. Ceasefire Pressure: Iran and Israel signaled pauses after renewed missile and drone exchanges, but fighting in Lebanon continued, keeping displacement and access to care unstable. Mental Health in Syria: A new report highlights how post-war violence and a still-underdeveloped mental health system are leaving many Syrians without support, pushing families toward faith and community coping. Local Safety & Care Access: In Tyre, residents describe pharmacies and shops reopening rarely, with medicine delivery and road travel becoming harder as attacks and evacuation orders disrupt daily health needs. Public Health Infrastructure: Floods also damaged drinking water facilities downstream, worsening access to safe water during recovery.

Southern Lebanon Health Crisis: Israeli strikes across Tyre, Zifta and Marwanieh killed at least 14 people and injured dozens, including Red Cross paramedics, as Lebanon’s health ministry reported continued attacks despite a fragile Iran-Israel pause. Ceasefire Fragility: Israel and Iran signaled a halt after renewed missile exchanges, but leaders warned retaliation if attacks resume, keeping humanitarian fears high. Access to Care Under Fire: In Tyre, residents say pharmacies and shops are shutting for safety, while community workers deliver medicine and food amid “ghost town” conditions and repeated evacuation warnings. Human Rights Alarm: A separate report highlights concerns that “unlawful combatant” detention and alleged abductions of Lebanese women and youth are being used as pressure tactics, raising serious legal and medical ethics questions. Mental Health Focus in Syria: A new piece looks at how Syria’s mental health needs are rising after years of violence, while services remain limited and communities rely on faith and family support.

Lebanon Health Impact: Lebanon’s health ministry reported at least 14 deaths and dozens injured in Israeli strikes across southern towns including Tyre (near the Red Cross center, with four Red Cross paramedics among the wounded), Marwanieh, and Zifta, as officials warned the ceasefire remains fragile and displacement grows. Ceasefire Pressure: Israel and Iran traded long-range missile fire after renewed clashes, then signaled pauses, but both warned retaliation if attacks resume—raising fresh risks for civilians and medical services. Human Rights in Syria: Women Journalists Without Chains condemned the confirmed extrajudicial execution of Dr. Rania al‑Abbasi’s six children after 13 years of enforced disappearance, calling for justice and an end to systematic erasure. Cross-Border Medical Licensing: A report highlights how a cardiologist removed from France’s medical council reportedly continued practicing in Belgium, pointing to weak cross-border disciplinary communication. Food Security & Access: WFP described a 15,000-km delivery route delivering fortified biscuits to Afghan schoolchildren despite closed borders and repeated route changes, underscoring how logistics disruptions can quickly become health risks.

Humanitarian Fallout: The International Rescue Committee warns the Iran war is accelerating displacement, worsening food insecurity, and disrupting aid operations, with shocks tied to the Strait of Hormuz. Regional Health Pressure: Lebanon’s Health Ministry says Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 3,558 people and wounded 10,870, with 32 deaths and 137 injuries reported in the last 24 hours—raising fears for already strained care systems. Syria’s Jazira Protests: In Hasakah’s al-Hol area, residents blocked fuel-tanker routes to protest deteriorating living conditions and slow integration steps, a move that can quickly affect access to essentials like fuel and health supplies. Ceasefire Volatility: Iran and Israel traded missile strikes after Beirut-related attacks, triggering shelter orders and renewed uncertainty across the region—conditions that typically drive more injuries, stress, and service disruptions. Care Access Risk: Israel’s reported halt and later reopening of Gaza aid crossings highlights how quickly medical and humanitarian access can tighten during escalations.

Regional Health Fallout: Israel’s strikes and Iran’s missile barrage have triggered mass sheltering and hospital contingency moves in the wider region, with Lebanon’s health ministry reporting deaths and injuries after Beirut attacks—raising fears of renewed disruption to care and access. Airspace Disruptions: Iraq shut airspace for 72 hours and Syria suspended flights for 12 hours after the escalation, while Iran also closed parts of its airspace—conditions that can delay medical travel and supply chains. Ceasefire Strain: The first direct Iranian attack on Israel since the April truce has complicated mediation, with both sides trading warnings and retaliation language, keeping health systems on high alert. Human Impact on Families: A Lebanese resident described repeated displacement from bombardments, underscoring how insecurity repeatedly breaks continuity of care for civilians. Community Resilience: Amid instability, a Damascus rooftop garden story highlights how home growing can support food access and mental well-being when services are strained.

Syrian Citizenship & Health Access: UNHCR welcomed Syria’s presidential decree granting citizenship to Kurds, saying it could cut decades of statelessness and legal uncertainty; more than 10,500 people have applied since April, with support centers operating across Damascus, Aleppo, Hasakah, Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor. Humanitarian Aid in Syria: Qatar Red Crescent Society’s Eid Al-Adha campaign reached 247,344 beneficiaries across 13 countries, including Syria, pairing meat distribution with broader support for displaced and vulnerable families. Conflict, Care, and Regional Strain: A Reuters report on the U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming rulings on gun laws and transgender athletes is a reminder that policy shifts can ripple into public health and safety debates. Health & Nutrition Support Nearby: KOICA and WFP completed a $6m joint programme in Egypt training refugees and host communities in vocational skills and microgrants, with nutrition and resilience support aimed at easing pressures linked to Syria and regional crises. Local Economy Touchpoint: Jordan’s industrial exports rose 2.6% in Q1 2026, with shipments to Syria up 44%, a small but relevant sign for regional trade that can affect access to goods and services.

Humanitarian Care in Syria Region: A Syrian family in Damascus marked a vigil for their missing daughter, Majdoleen Al-Qadi, whose detention in 2013 remains unresolved, renewing calls for answers and support for families living with long-term trauma. Eid Nutrition & Relief: Qatar Red Crescent Society’s Eid Al-Adha “Make Their Eid” campaign reached 247,344 beneficiaries across 14 countries, including Syria, with meat distribution and aid aimed at displaced and vulnerable families. Refugee Nutrition Programs: KOICA and WFP completed a $6m joint programme in Egypt supporting refugees and host communities, training 14,000 people in skills and microgrants for income—highlighting how nutrition and livelihoods link to health. Health System Resilience: A report on Syria’s fragile recovery points to what awaits Syrians returning to a health system still damaged by war, as services struggle to restart safely. Public Health & Access: A new push in the U.S. military health system would require chaperones for sensitive exams, reflecting ongoing concerns about patient safety and abuse prevention. Research & Treatment Innovation: Scientists turned hookworms into living “pharmacies” that can deliver functional human antibodies inside the body, opening new paths for medicine delivery.

Humanitarian Aid & Nutrition: KOICA and WFP wrapped up a $6m, three-year programme in Egypt supporting refugees and host communities, training 14,000+ people in market skills and microgrants that helped 39% start income activities. Syrian Health System & Disease Detection: Coverage highlights Syria strengthening labs to improve disease detection, aiming to better spot outbreaks in a still-fragile system. Refugee & Community Support: Qatar Red Crescent’s Eid Al-Adha campaign reached 247,344 beneficiaries across Qatar and 13 countries, including Syria, with meat distribution and support for displaced families. Conflict Impact on Care: Reports on Lebanon’s strikes note hospitals and primary care centers forced to shut, underscoring how war disrupts access to medical services across the region. Integration & Public Safety (Syria): Syria’s al-Hasakah plans integration of 9,000+ Asayish members into the Internal Security Directorate, including about 1,000 women, via interviews and document checks. Health Policy Oversight (US): A US House move would require chaperones for sensitive exams in military health facilities, responding to allegations involving Army doctors.

Health Care Safety: U.S. lawmakers moved to require chaperones for “sensitive” exams in military hospitals after allegations involving an Army gynecologist, aiming to add safeguards for patients. Infectious Disease Watch: WHO warned of worsening health conditions across the conflict-hit Middle East, with Lebanon reporting rising acute watery diarrhoea and Syria seeing measles cases climb. War’s Health Impact: Lebanon’s public health teams said Israeli strikes have killed thousands and injured tens of thousands since March, while attacks also hit medical facilities. Syrian Health System Capacity: Syria strengthened labs to improve disease detection, a key step as outbreaks and displacement strain care. Public Health in Conflict Zones: A World Health Assembly resolution backed stronger protection for health services in war, urging sustained support and operational help for essential care. Medical Innovation: Scientists engineered hookworms to act like living “pharmacies,” producing antibodies inside the body—an early step toward injection-free medicine delivery. Regional Health Context: World Bank approved a $900m Iraq and Kurdistan road project, indirectly supporting access to services and safer transport corridors for people and goods.

Health in Conflict: WHO warns of a worsening health crisis across the conflict-hit Middle East, as Lebanon reports ongoing attacks on medical services and rising acute watery diarrhoea cases, while Syria sees measles climb and leishmaniasis persist. Ceasefire Under Strain: Israel and Lebanon move to revive a conditional ceasefire tied to Hezbollah stopping attacks and withdrawing from areas south of the Litani River, but strikes continue and Tyre’s hospitals face damage and casualties. Public Health Risks: Lebanon’s Public Health Emergency Operations Center says attacks since early March have killed thousands and injured many more, with hundreds of thousands displaced across the border into Syria. Regional Health Policy: A World Health Assembly resolution urges stronger protection of healthcare in conflict zones, calling for safeguards, sustained international support, and operational help to keep essential care running. Syrian Health System: Coverage also highlights Syria’s push to strengthen labs for better disease detection as the country’s recovery remains fragile.

Lebanon–Israel Ceasefire Talks: Israel and Lebanon agreed to renew a fragile ceasefire in Washington, but it’s conditional on Hezbollah fully stopping attacks and withdrawing operatives from areas south of the Litani River, with the Lebanese army set to take exclusive control in “pilot” security zones. Public Health Impact: Lebanon’s Public Health Emergency Operations Center reported that since March 2, Israeli attacks have killed 3,526 people and injured 10,733, underscoring how conflict continues to strain health services and safety. Nutrition & Livelihood Support in Egypt: WFP and KOICA completed a $6 million, three-year programme to boost nutrition, vocational skills, and economic resilience for refugees and Egyptian host communities, training 14,000+ people and supporting microgrants. Syria Health System Capacity: A report highlights Syria strengthening labs to improve disease detection, a key step for catching outbreaks earlier. Community Health Risk Abroad: In Jacksonville, residents say a neighbor’s property became an open-air debris dump after a death, raising concerns about pests and neighborhood health hazards.

Lebanon Health Under Fire: Israel-Lebanon ceasefire talks in Washington are still tied to a “complete cessation” of Hezbollah attacks, with “pilot zones” planned—meanwhile strikes continue and Lebanon’s health ministry reports deaths including paramedics and Syrians, plus damage to an ambulance and repeated hits across southern areas. Ceasefire Conditions: The US says Lebanese Armed Forces would take exclusive control in zones between the border and the Litani River, with Hezbollah operatives to be evacuated—next talks set for June 22. Syria Health System Strain (Context): A separate report highlights how war-related targeting is worsening Lebanon’s health-care collapse, with electricity and water shortages compounding medical access problems. Public Health & Safety Lessons: A Delhi hotel fire tied to medical tourism spotlights how unsafe housing and weak regulation can endanger patients and families seeking care abroad. Mental Health in Conflict: Coverage on Ukraine underscores the scale of psychological support needs during prolonged war, reinforcing the importance of trauma care in crisis settings. Health & Community Support: WFP and KOICA report training and microgrants improving nutrition, resilience, and livelihoods for refugees and host communities in Egypt.

Lebanon–Israel Ceasefire Talks: After US-led talks in Washington, Lebanon and Israel agreed to implement a ceasefire, but it’s conditional on a “complete cessation” of fire by Hezbollah and the removal of its operatives from south of the Litani River, with Lebanese forces set to control “pilot zones” and exclude non-state actors—while strikes and rocket fire continued almost immediately, including reports of deaths in the south and a car hit near Beirut. Health Impact in Conflict: Lebanese health officials reported fatalities from strikes in areas like Tyre and Al-Hawsh, including paramedics and civilians, underscoring how quickly medical workers and transport get pulled into frontline violence. US–Iran Tensions Spill Over: A fragile US-Iran ceasefire was tested again as missile and drone attacks hit Gulf targets, including Kuwait’s airport, with casualties and emergency response disruptions reported. Mental Health & Care in War: A separate report highlights the scale of psychological support needs in Ukraine, pointing to how clinicians in safer regions can support trauma care for displaced communities. Community Support & Wellness: A mental-health-focused Syria item surfaced on how a program in Homs helps former detainees rebuild their lives, tying recovery to everyday support.