Capitals, March 29 (SANA) – Disruptions to medical supply chains bound for several African countries are threatening disease control efforts, including cholera response programs, amid logistical challenges linked to the war in the Middle East, according to warnings from United Nations agencies and international organizations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted supply routes connected to the Gulf region, forcing shipments to take longer and more costly alternative routes and delaying the delivery of medical supplies to key transit hubs.
The agency warned that the situation is placing increasing pressure on humanitarian response operations and limiting the ability to deliver aid on time to affected areas.
Shipments delayed, transport costs rising
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said in a logistics update issued on March 18 that large quantities of medical supplies remain stuck at regional transit centers due to shipping route changes and growing security risks.
WHO said in a separate briefing on March 20 that part of its emergency medical stockpile has been unable to leave distribution centers because of logistical constraints in the Gulf region, forcing the agency to consider more expensive alternatives such as air transport.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) also warned that supply chain disruptions threaten access to essential reproductive health services, saying delays could increase unsafe births and prevent survivors of violence from receiving necessary care.
Meanwhile, UNICEF said in a recent field report on Somalia that humanitarian shipments worth $15.7 million, including vaccines and therapeutic food, have faced unprecedented delays, increasing risks for children in vulnerable areas.
Cholera risks growing
WHO data show that 2025 recorded more than 600,000 cholera cases and nearly 8,000 deaths across 34 countries, while early trends for 2026 indicate a partial decline in some regions, though the progress remains fragile.
Health experts warn that delays of even a few days in delivering medical supplies can trigger rapid outbreaks, particularly in fragile environments where countries rely heavily on imported treatments.
Aid organizations say prolonged disruption of supply chains could severely affect already fragile healthcare systems in Africa, underscoring the need for urgent international action to maintain the flow of medical supplies and prevent worsening health crises.
Kh.A
