World Health Day

Established by the World Health Organization, World Health Day is observed annually on April 7 across the planet.

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A Look at Women’s Health Across The Globe in 2025

Today, women’s health is shaped by a range of overlapping challenges – from conflict and poverty to climate change and systemic inequality. While there have been important strides, such as a global decline in maternal mortality, many women continue to face serious health risks, particularly in crisis-affected and resource-limited areas. From maternal care to menstrual hygiene, mental health, and the growing impact of climate change, the following sections offer insight into some of the most pressing issues currently affecting women’s health around the world.

>>> Read the full piece for more insight into women’s health in 2025

The Power of Breastfeeding: Supporting Mothers and Babies in Gaza

In Gaza, where families are often living on the edge of survival, Anera’s comprehensive healthcare services offer a lifeline for mothers and children to address issues like malnutrition, breastfeeding support, and maternal care.

The challenges faced by mothers in Gaza are manifold, often beginning during pregnancy. The economic hardships of living in a blockaded region severely impact families. With limited access to infant formula, and the high cost of basic food, many mothers find themselves unable to provide the proper nutrition their children need. For those who want to breastfeed, psychological stress caused by financial instability and emotional distress from the ongoing war often affects milk production, leaving many mothers feeling inadequate and helpless.

In Abu Samra Camp in Deir Al Balah, where Anera has focused many of its breastfeeding initiatives, approximately 45% of mothers (out of 126 cases we recorded in August, 2024), practiced mixed feeding — alternating between formula and breast milk. The struggles were even more evident in Shams Camp (also in Deir Al Balah), where 213 cases of breastfeeding were tracked, with many mothers facing issues like inadequate milk supply and latching problems.

Anera’s Breastfeeding Counseling Program is not just about breastfeeding; it’s a part of a much broader effort to support maternal health through a variety of services aimed at improving the lives of women and children in Gaza.

Breastfeeding support is one of Anera’s flagship services. Through individual and group sessions, mothers are educated on correct breastfeeding techniques and the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Anera’s lactation experts provide practical assistance to address challenges like poor latch, nipple soreness, and milk production issues.

According to Sabreen Al-Buhasi, a breastfeeding counselor at an Anera-affiliated clinic, transitioning from formula feeding to exclusive breastfeeding is a major achievement for many mothers in Gaza. One mother, for instance, had initially resorted to formula feeding due to economic pressures and milk supply issues. However, after receiving support from Anera’s breastfeeding experts, she successfully made the transition to exclusive breastfeeding, a change that had a profound impact on both her health and her child’s growth.

>>> Read the full post

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World Health Day 2022

On World Health Day 2022, we are taking this opportunity to thank our many medical donation partners. Because of their generosity and the partnerships we have formed, Anera delivers across Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan. From cancer medicines to IV solutions, Anera and our partners bring life-saving medicines and vital healthcare supplies to patients and health facilities who are in desperate need of them.

Check out what we have delivered in just the past 10 months…

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World Health Day | Palestine Medical Aid Deliveries

Our amazing medical donations teams in the West Bank and Gaza delivered 54 shipments of medicines and healthcare supplies to 87 clinics and hospitals across Palestine. The shipments contained 823,875 medicine treatments free of charge to vulnerable Palestinian patients and 1,571,579 units of healthcare supplies to help healthcare facilities provide the best service possible.

We also delivered TOMS Shoes to children at Gaza 357 preschools!

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World Health Day | Lebanon Medical Aid Deliveries

In Lebanon, Anera’s crack team distributed 38 shipments of medicines and healthcare supplies to 116 healthcare facilities throughout the country. The deliveries provided 2,193,040 units of supplies and 416,913 medicine treatments. Patients at clinics and hospitals across Lebanon benefit from these donations. Patients don’t have to pay for expensive medicines and healthcare facilities can save money on procuring supplies and medicines, and therefore invest more into serving their patients well.

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Thank you Americares, Brigham Young University, Bring Hope Foundation, Catholic Medical Missions Board, Direct Relief, Distribute Aid, Friends of Ostomites Worldwide-USA, G-Form, Health Partners International-Canada, Hikma, International Health Partners, Lutheran World Relief, Medwish, Premium Medical Supply, Project C.U.R.E., Solight, ULight, UNICEF, and World Medical Relief! You make World Health Day extra special for the people Anera serves in the Middle East.

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World Health Day 2019

Good health is a critical foundation of any society. But in poor communities in Palestine and Lebanon, families have trouble accessing quality health care. Crumbling buildings, outdated equipment and a shortage of doctors and medicines diminish the standard of care that hospitals and clinics can provide. And restrictions on movement cause patients to rely on small, local clinics with the fewest resources.

Thanks to supporters from all over the world, Anera is able to rebuild, upgrade and improve conditions in hospitals and clinics in Palestine and Lebanon. We distribute millions of dollars worth of vital medicines, equipment, wheelchairs, over-the-counter drugs and health care supplies that would not otherwise be available in the communities where they are needed the most.

Together with people just like you, we’re training families and health care professionals in their communities. We’re teaching healthy habits to children and administering programs that help parents identify symptoms and treatment options for various diseases. Together, we’re building healthy communities through public health education initiatives like summer camps, sports programs and clinic open days.

He who has health has
hope; and he who has
hope has everything.
–Arabic proverb

Anera’s Programs in Palestine and Lebanon benefit people’s health by…

1. Creating sports programs and facilities

so youth have an outlet for relieving stress and connecting with others through teamwork and other healthy activities.

2. Improving conditions at hospitals and clinics

so patients feel secure in knowing they are in a clean and safe environment that will help them get better.

3. Equipping health facilities

from hospitals to blood banks, with state-of-the-art equipment, so doctors can feel confident that they have the tools necessary to provide the best care.

4. Distributing relief

like food, water, blankets, hygiene items, clothes and emergency lights during crises, so families who are suffering can have some comfort and stave off illness.

5. Increasing awareness

of how good health and nutrition impacts a child’s cognitive and physical development, so preschool teachers and caregivers can provide the best care.

6. Promoting the rational use of medicine

so families don’t over or incorrectly consume antibiotics, painkillers or other drugs that that can have negative effects on health.

7. Detecting and treating parasite infections

so mothers and other caretakers have the tools and knowledge to fight sickness in their families.

8. Providing dental health care and education

so refugee children can get the care they need for their teeth.

9. Delivering medicines to hospitals and clinics

so disadvantaged families can get, free of charge, life-saving treatment for chronic and short-term diseases.

10. Building the capacity of preschool teachers

to address psychosocial needs, so they can improve the lives of traumatized children, inside and outside the classroom.

11. Connecting homes to water and sewage networks

so families have access to drinking water and streets aren’t polluted with waste that gets people sick.