UN Refugee Agency Warns of Global Aid Disruption Due to Middle East Crisis

Geneva, May 2: The ongoing crisis in the Middle East is no longer confined to the region; it is impacting global humanitarian aid operations. A spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned that this situation could significantly affect humanitarian supply chains and aid distribution efforts.

Increased insecurity and instability around key maritime routes in the Gulf, particularly near the Strait of Hormuz, have disrupted shipping movements. This has led to rising costs for fuel, food, and freight worldwide. Consequently, essential goods have become more expensive and their supply has been delayed.

Carlotta Wolf stated during a regular press briefing that these rising prices are hitting the most vulnerable populations the hardest, including refugees and displaced individuals. Moreover, timely delivery of aid is becoming increasingly challenging for relief agencies.

The closure of major shipping routes has forced a reliance on longer and more expensive alternatives. This has not only increased delivery times but also complicated logistics. Since the onset of the conflict, freight costs for essential goods have surged by approximately 18%. Additionally, the capacity of UNHCR’s transport network has plummeted from 97% to 77% since the beginning of this year.

Wolf noted, “For some shipments, costs have more than doubled; for instance, the transportation costs for relief supplies from UNHCR’s global stockpiles in Dubai to our operations in Sudan and Chad.”

The UNHCR has expressed particular concern regarding the situation in Africa, where several significant displacement crises are ongoing and often overlooked.

In Kenya, home to a UNHCR global stockpile, a recent 15% increase in fuel prices has delayed shipments to Ethiopia, Congo, and South Sudan, with a shortage of trucks also being reported. According to Xinhua News Agency, the cost of delivering aid in Sudan has doubled in recent months. Furthermore, shipping goods via the Cape of Good Hope is resulting in an additional 25 days of delivery delays.

The spokesperson warned that if instability in the Middle East persists, rising costs, delays, and limited transport capacity could further hinder relief efforts.

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