Iran war complicates WHO's emergency medical supply routes

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 conflict, which began on February 28 ⁠with U.S.-Israeli air strikes.

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 ​for Lebanon overland from Dubai but said road costs were up ​around 30% ⁠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."