NAIROBI, Kenya — The United Nations has warned that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes, are threatening the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid across the Middle East.
According to the United Nations, rising fuel prices, shipping delays, and blocked transport routes are slowing the movement of food, medicine, and other essential supplies to millions of vulnerable people in the region.
Tom Fletcher, the UN’s humanitarian chief, said the ripple effects of the ongoing conflict extend far beyond the immediate battle zones.
“The impact on our life-saving humanitarian work will be immense. Millions of people are at risk,” Fletcher said.
Global shipping chokepoint
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and serves as a key corridor for global trade and energy shipments.
A significant portion of the world’s oil and commercial cargo passes through the narrow channel each day, making it one of the most strategically important waterways in the global economy.
Fletcher said disruptions to shipping traffic through the strait have already created major logistical challenges for humanitarian operations.
“Global supply chains are under strain. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most vital trade corridors — has slowed to a trickle,” he said.
He added that delays of up to six months have already been reported for some critical humanitarian supplies due to disruptions in maritime and air transport routes.
Aid delivery under pressure
The slowdown has made it harder and more expensive to transport essential commodities, including food, fertiliser, and medical supplies.
“Food, medicine, fertiliser and other supplies become harder to move and more expensive to deliver,” Fletcher warned.
Humanitarian agencies say the rising logistical costs and supply delays could worsen conditions in already fragile regions where millions depend on international assistance.
UN mitigation efforts
The UN says it is taking steps to reduce the impact of the disruption by pre-positioning humanitarian supplies, activating alternative transport routes, and coordinating with logistics partners to keep aid deliveries moving.
Fletcher said he is also engaging directly with parties involved in the conflict and other international stakeholders to ensure safe passage for humanitarian shipments through the strategic waterway.
“Humanitarian supply chains are fragile. When routes close and costs surge, the help we can deliver shrinks — and the people who need it most are the ones who lose it first,” he said.
The UN has stressed that maintaining uninterrupted humanitarian corridors is critical to preventing further hardship for vulnerable populations across the Middle East and neighbouring regions that depend on cross-border aid deliveries.
