The World Health Organization (WHO) has suspended operations at its global emergency logistics hub in Dubai due to escalating conflict in the Middle East. The agency's chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that "Humanitarian health supply chains are now being jeopardised."
Operations are on hold due to insecurity, airspace closures, and restrictions affecting access to the Strait of Hormuz. This disruption is preventing access to US$18 million in humanitarian health supplies and US$8 million in other shipments. The halt affects over 50 emergency supply requests from 25 countries, including US$6 million in medicines for Gaza and US$1.6 million in polio laboratory supplies crucial for Afghanistan and Pakistan.