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The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has raised the alarm that the significant increase in maritime transport costs, as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, is directly affecting the distribution of humanitarian aid to millions of refugees around the world.
According to UNHCR, transport costs from key source countries have increased significantly in recent months, forcing the agency to review its financial priorities and reducing the funds available for field operations. This situation comes at a time when humanitarian needs are increasing, especially in regions such as Africa and the Middle East.
UNHCR spokeswoman Carlotta Wolf, during a press conference in Geneva, emphasized that the crisis in the Middle East has consequences that go beyond the region.
"This situation has generated widespread effects on global humanitarian supply chains, creating serious difficulties in distributing aid to the people most in need ," she stated.
In addition to rising prices, UNHCR is also facing significant delays and congestion at key ports, which is further slowing the delivery of aid. These logistical obstacles risk delaying the delivery of vital items such as food, shelter and medical supplies to refugees.
Wolf brought up a concrete example to illustrate the situation: transportation costs for aid shipments from UNHCR's global warehouses in Dubai to operations in Sudan and Chad have increased from about $927,000 to $1.87 million – more than doubling in a short period.
These rising costs are putting enormous pressure on the agency's budget, forcing it to make difficult choices about how it allocates its resources. In some cases, this could mean less assistance for the most vulnerable communities.
UNHCR called on international partners and donors to increase financial support to offset rising costs and ensure the continuity of humanitarian assistance. According to the agency, without a rapid and coordinated response, the situation could deteriorate further, leaving millions of refugees without the support they need.
At a time when conflicts and humanitarian crises are increasing globally, logistical and financial challenges like these are becoming increasingly critical for organizations operating on the front lines of aid.
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