Dear Colleagues,
While all babies, wherever they are, are a concern for WAIMH, our on-the-ground priority is to support infants, their families, and the IMH professionals in areas where we have WAIMH Affiliate organisations.
Over the past years, many WAIMH affiliates have suffered either or both humanitarian and natural disasters. These have included earthquakes in Japan, New Zealand, and Turkey, as well as fires in Australia, Canada and the USA, and more recently, conflict in the Middle East, where we have Affiliates in Israel, Dubai, and Palestine, which has been undergoing the affiliate formation process, as has Ukraine. We are aware of the fact that there are many humanitarian crises in parts of the world where we do not have affiliates, including Afghanistan (earthquake), and countries in Africa.
While WAIMH has done its best to support Affiliates during these times, our capacity to help in real terms has been limited. However, this is changing with the growth and development of the evolving work of the WAIMH Infants in Crises Working Group.
WAIMH is now eager to expand the reach of the WAIMH Infants in Crisis Working Group. The current focus is on infants, their families, and IMH professionals in the Middle East region, where WAIMH has three Affiliates: Israel, Palestine and Dubai.
In the current turbulent times, we are confronted daily by heartbreaking news from the Middle East, where infants, young children, and their families endure unimaginable hardship: displacement, hunger, and the loss of loved ones. The scale of suffering, particularly among the most vulnerable, leaves us searching for ways to help, even as political forces seem beyond our reach.
While we may feel powerless in the face of such vast challenges, there is one tangible action we can take together. Our colleagues in the Middle East continue their vital work, holding workshops—sometimes made possible by the commitment and expertise of WAIMH members contributing online. These workshops offer much-needed support to infants, young children and their families navigating the turmoil of conflict, nurturing hope and stability where it is needed most.
In order to expand and facilitate more of these workshops, we are launching a fundraising campaign. Your generosity can help ensure that these life-changing events continue, bringing comfort and guidance to those most at risk. Every donation, no matter the size, will directly support the efforts of our colleagues to reach more infants, young children and their families and empower local professionals working under the most challenging conditions.
Update on 17.11.2025
Following our recent appeal for donations, we have received inquiries regarding our focus on the Middle East and the intended allocation of funds. WAIMH operates in regions where there are official affiliations or active members. Given the significant challenges currently facing child health and well-being in the Middle East, we have partnered with local professionals and organized webinars featuring colleagues from Israel and Palestine. Additionally, we are organizing an in-person meeting aimed at developing a digital media application for parents and planning further workshops in targeted regions.
In August 2024, WAIMH sponsored workshops in the Occupied West Bank, led by Dr. Ghassan Abdallah and Care Palestine, with online support provided by Astrid Berg and Campbell Paul. In response to the urgent needs arising from ongoing violence and instability, and in keeping with our goal of fostering sustainable impact among infants, their parents, counsellors, and caregivers, we intend to expand these activities to other marginalized areas affected by violence. These will be guided by Dr. Azhar AbuAli, WAIMH Board Member from Dubai, and Astrid Berg, under the leadership of Dr. Abdallah.
It is anticipated that the structure and outcomes of these workshops may serve as models for WAIMH to provide support in other regions facing humanitarian crises where WAIMH has Affiliate organizations.
We invite you to join us in making a meaningful difference. Donations can be made via our website, and your support will help us extend our reach and deepen our impact.
Let us stand together in solidarity and compassion. By supporting this initiative, you reaffirm our shared commitment to the well-being of infants, young children and their families across the Middle East. Thank you for considering this appeal, and for all that you already do to foster hope in troubled times.
Yours sincerely
Astrid Berg
President of WAIMH
