Iran War Disrupts Gulf Shipping, Doubling Aid Costs to Sudan’s Displaced Population

Since the outbreak of the war involving Iran, the United States and Israel on 28 February, heightened insecurity around Gulf maritime corridors—most notably the Strait of Hormuz—has forced humanitarian shipments to be rerouted. Aid that previously moved from Dubai through the Strait now travels overland to Aqaba, Jordan, for deliveries to Chad, or via Oman for shipments to Port Sudan. The alternative sea lane around the Cape of Good Hope would add roughly 25 days to transit times. Congestion at major ports such as Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Mersin (Turkey), together with sharply higher war-risk insurance premiums (estimated at 0.5 %–1.5 % of cargo value), have compounded the logistical burden.

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The conflict in Sudan has generated the world’s largest displacement crisis, with an estimated 135 million refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide. UNHCR’s largest global stockpile of relief items is located in Dubai, one of seven hubs that also include Copenhagen, Nairobi, Douala, Accra, Panama City and Termez. The agency’s ability to move these supplies is now constrained by the shipping disruptions described above.

The Straits Times

Transporting 2,018 metric tons of relief goods from Dubai to Sudan and neighboring Chad via the new routes now costs $1.87 million, up from $927,000—a more-than-double increase. Fuel prices in Nairobi have risen by about 15 %, limiting the availability of trucks for onward shipments to Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. Higher insurance premiums and port backlogs further inflate overall logistics expenses.

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UNHCR spokesperson Carlotta Wolf explained that the rerouting has delayed deliveries, leaving “people in dire need” receiving assistance later than required. She warned that the surge in transport costs erodes the agency’s capacity to fund direct assistance on the ground. Wolf also highlighted that the organization faces severe funding shortfalls: its $8.5 billion appeal to support 135 million displaced individuals is only 23 % funded.

The Straits Times

The combination of doubled transport expenses and a funding appeal that remains largely unmet reduces the number of beneficiaries UNHCR can support. Each additional dollar spent on logistics directly subtracts from the resources available for shelter, food and medical aid.

The Straits Times

• “People in dire need are receiving things that are ready later than what’s needed,” — Carlotta Wolf, UNHCR spokesperson

The Straits Times

• “Every dollar that is spent additionally on transportation is $1 less that we can provide to people forcibly on the ground, or less people that we can support,” — Carlotta Wolf, UNHCR spokesperson

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UNHCR cautions that continued instability in Gulf shipping lanes and rising fuel costs will further strain humanitarian operations unless donor contributions increase. The agency is seeking additional funding to offset logistics overruns and maintain the flow of aid to Sudan’s displaced populations.

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