IFRC has warned that Middle East tensions, especially disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, are affecting aid delivery. The disruptions to air and maritime routes are forcing agencies to reroute shipments.
Key maritime disruptions in the Middle East affects aid delivery
Rising tensions in the Middle East, especially in the Strait of Hormuz, are driving up the cost of humanitarian aid and international delivery. These disruptions are raising concerns about the sustainability of relief operations.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned that the disruption in the area is affecting key maritime and air routes. This is forcing aid agencies to reroute shipments via land, which takes more time and is sometimes more costly.
Nikola Jovanovic, IFRC global supply chain coordinator for emergencies, indicated a possibility that the strain on humanitarian operations might become unsustainable.
“We are not there yet, but the pressure is definitely increasing,” he said.
Moreover, rising transport costs and higher fuel prices put pressure on humanitarian activities. This causes longer delivery timelines and port and airport delays, which all compound to financial constraints.
According to IFRC data, sea freight costs 70% more, with about a 300% increase on certain routes. This is due to schedule disruptions, rerouting, and port congestion. Reduced sailing from the UAE has also added about $5,000 per container to goods alternatively transported by land.
Similarly, the cost of air freight has risen by about 50-70%. A shift from sea to air transport, limited capacity, and volatile fuel surcharges are driving these costs.
Land transport costs have also risen by 20-30%. The rise reflects cross-border trucking costs, border delays, driver shortages, and tightening capacity.
“The last couple of years, we saw a trend of less and less investment in the humanitarian field. If this trend continues, I’m afraid that sustainability will become a real concern,” says Nikola Jovanovic.
Tensions prompt structural shifts in aid logistics
The persistent disruptions in aid shipping and delivery are causing a push towards rethinking the logistics of aid delivery. Organisations are now putting greater emphasis on localisation and resilience.
Jovanovic said that regional sourcing, pre-positioning, and local routes can build resilience.
However, despite the new shift, the outlook remains uncertain. Humanitarian needs rise and prices hike while funding declines.