Iran war disrupts WHO supply routes

The World Health Organization (WHO) is exploring alternative ways to deliver emergency medical supplies from its Dubai hub to crisis zones like Lebanon through extended overland routes, according to an official. However, increasing fuel costs could pose challenges to these shipments if the war in Iran continues.

The global health body's aid shipments from the United Arab Emirates were previously completely frozen as air, sea and land routes were restricted by the Iran war, which began on 28 February with US-Israeli air strikes, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Iran responded by firing drones and missiles at energy and other infrastructure across the Gulf, while militant group Hezbollah pulled Lebanon into the regional war by firing on Israel in support of its patron Iran.

To tackle the shipment problems, the UAE has provided funding to truck supplies like insulin and emergency kits to Lebanon, where over 3,000 people have been wounded, via Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria, as well as funding to charter flights to other hotspots like Kabul, Afghanistan, said the WHO official.

"What you're getting is cost increases and lead time increases as we do the workarounds," Paul Molinaro, WHO head of Operations, Support and Logistics, told Reuters on Thursday. A UAE official confirmed it was providing partners with support.

But Molinaro said the Dubai backlog has not completely cleared, citing smaller medical shipments that remain stranded. He said two shipping companies have waived insurance surcharges.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it planned to truck ambulances to Lebanon overland from Dubai, but said road costs were up around 30 per cent and there were border delays.

Asked about the risk of drug shortages, Molinaro said he was more concerned about oil price hikes leading to exhausted fuel stocks in poorer countries and aid stocks becoming stranded.

"You could be seeing serious issues 6 to 8 weeks down the line," he said. "I think we're going to feel that quicker than shortages of drugs and of plastics and of equipment."

News.Az 

By Ulviyya Salmanli