The escalating war in the Middle East has forced the World Health Organisation (WHO) to suspend activities at its global emergency logistics hub in Dubai, raising concerns over the delivery of critical medical supplies to vulnerable regions around the world.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed that operations at the facility have been temporarily halted due to security risks linked to the ongoing conflict, which erupted following US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
“Operations at WHO’s logistics hub for global health emergencies in Dubai are currently on hold due to insecurity,” Tedros said during a press briefing.
Critical Health Supplies Stalled
The disruption has created significant challenges for global humanitarian health efforts. According to Hanan Balkhy, WHO’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, the closure of the hub has prevented access to about $18 million worth of humanitarian medical supplies, while another $8 million in shipments cannot reach the facility.
The interruption has also affected more than 50 emergency supply requests from 25 countries, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of the conflict beyond the immediate war zone.
Among the delayed shipments are $6 million worth of medicines intended for Gaza, as well as $1.6 million in polio laboratory supplies destined for Afghanistan and Pakistan, two countries where the disease remains endemic.
Strategic Global Lifeline Under Pressure
The Dubai facility serves as a central logistics hub for the WHO’s global emergency response system. In the past year alone, it processed over 500 emergency orders supporting 75 countries, making it one of the organisation’s most important humanitarian supply centres.
Balkhy described the hub as “an extremely important lifeline for the humanitarian response”, emphasising that any prolonged disruption could severely affect health interventions worldwide.
The suspension of operations is largely due to airspace closures and security restrictions affecting access to the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime corridor critical to regional transport and logistics.
WHO Seeking Alternative Supply Routes
In response to the disruption, the WHO has begun exploring alternative logistics routes. The organisation is currently coordinating with authorities in the United Arab Emirates and humanitarian partners to reroute supplies through other emergency hubs in Nairobi, Dakar, and Brindisi in Italy.
If the conflict continues, officials say additional land routes may also be considered, potentially involving transport corridors through Saudi Arabia.
Health Risks Rise Amid Growing Conflict
Beyond logistical challenges, the WHO is also monitoring broader public health risks linked to the war. The organisation warned that the fighting could threaten nuclear safety, which would have serious health consequences if compromised.
The agency is currently coordinating emergency health responses across 16 affected countries, while strengthening disease surveillance systems and preparing for potential mass casualties and displacement.
At the same time, the WHO has documented 13 attacks on healthcare facilities in Iran, which reportedly killed four people and injured 25 others, alongside another attack in Lebanon that killed three paramedics and wounded six.
Tedros emphasised that under international humanitarian law, medical facilities must remain protected during armed conflict, warning that attacks on healthcare infrastructure further deepen humanitarian crises.
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