By Ayomide Otitoju
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has forced the World Health Organization (WHO) to suspend operations at its global emergency logistics hub in Dubai, the UN agency’s chief, Tedros Ghebreyesus, announced Thursday.
Speaking at a press briefing, Tedros warned that the impact of the war, triggered by US and Israeli attacks on Iran last Saturday, “goes beyond the immediately affected countries.”
“Operations at WHO’s logistics hub for global health emergencies in Dubai are currently on hold due to insecurity,” he said.
Hanan Balkhy, WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean regional director, explained that the hub’s closure is driven by insecurity, airspace restrictions, and limited access to the Strait of Hormuz affected, including $6 million in medicines intended for the Gaza Strip.
Balkhy also highlighted delays in $1.6 million worth of polio laboratory supplies, which could impact Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the disease remains endemic.
The WHO is coordinating with UAE authorities on resuming hub operations and exploring alternative supply routes through other logistics hubs in Nairobi, Dakar, and Brindisi. If the conflict persists, ground routes through Saudi Arabia may be considered.
“The Dubai hub is an extremely important lifeline for the humanitarian response,” Balkhy said.
The agency is also scaling up preparedness for potential chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risks, and strengthening disease surveillance across 16 affected countries. It continues to support local health ministries to sustain essential services and respond to mass casualties and displacement.
Tedros further highlighted threats to nuclear facilities, warning that any compromise to nuclear safety could have severe public health consequences.
The WHO has verified 13 attacks on healthcare since the conflict began, killing seven people and injuring 31. “Under international humanitarian law, health care must be protected and not attacked,” Tedros emphasized.
