NEW YORK, 26 March 2026 — War-related disruptions to major global transport routes in the Middle East are delaying the delivery of lifesaving reproductive health supplies for women and girls in humanitarian crises around the world, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) warned today. Even short delays can mean women giving birth without skilled care, survivors of rape missing the critical window for treatment, or health facilities lacking essential equipment.
Delays of up to one month are already being observed for many shipments, particularly for sea freight moving between Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The supplies affected include Reproductive Health Kits, which contain medicine and equipment to support safe childbirth, manage obstetric complications, provide contraception, and deliver clinical care for survivors of rape. Medical equipment for health facilities, and operational and security equipment (including tents) are also impacted.
Sixteen countries* that UNFPA supports are experiencing delays receiving labor and delivery room equipment intended for 45 hospitals, surgical equipment for 28 referral hospitals, assisted delivery equipment for 15 hospitals, as well as more than 1.2 million male condoms. These delays will hinder access for 18,000 pregnant women to safe delivery care, 1,980 women to receiving treatment for complications from miscarriage or abortion, 30,400 survivors of sexual violence to urgent post-rape treatment, and 2,625 women and girls to contraceptive services.
“The conflict has dismantled the routes we rely on to deliver reproductive and maternal health commodities,” said Eric Dupont, Acting Chief of the Supply Chain Management Unit at UNFPA. “Between logistical bottlenecks, skyrocketing shipping costs and extended transit times, our ability to reach the most vulnerable women and girls is under strain. Every day of shipment delay unnecessarily risks women’s lives, and every price increase reduces the number of girls and mothers who can benefit from lifesaving commodities and equipment.”
Many of UNFPA’s humanitarian supplies are routed through Dubai, a global logistics hub, which remains operational but with significantly reduced transport capacity. To avoid key corridors in the conflict zone such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal, carriers are rerouting their vessels around the horn of Africa, significantly adding to delivery timelines. Air freight has also been affected, including through key transit hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi.
At the same time, transport costs are rising sharply due to new “war risk” surcharges ranging from $200 to $4,000 per container, and higher fuel prices and insurance costs. As a result, fewer supplies can be delivered with the same level of funding.
In Lebanon, where more than 1.2 million people have been displaced – including an estimated 13,500 pregnant women – innovative solutions have helped ensure lifesaving supplies reach those in need. Through the European Union Humanitarian Air Bridge, UNFPA was able to deliver reproductive health kits within days, at no cost, enabling a rapid response to urgent needs. Without this support, shipments relying on standard sea or air freight would likely have taken weeks longer to arrive, at significantly higher cost. UNFPA welcomes this critical support and calls on partners, including donors and the private sector, to expand such innovative solutions to ensure lifesaving supplies can reach the most vulnerable, even in the midst of conflict.
UNFPA is working closely with private sector partners and partner agencies to map alternative routes, reroute inbound shipments and reposition critical supplies in response to ongoing disruptions. To prepare for supply disruptions, UNFPA stores emergency supplies across multiple global warehouses: reproductive health and dignity kits are stored in the Netherlands and Türkiye, while emergency field hospitals are pre-positioned in China and ambulances in Gibraltar. This has enabled UNFPA to maintain operations at a reduced level, even amid major supply route disruptions.
UNFPA remains committed to ensuring that women and girls, wherever they are, can access the lifesaving care they need, no matter what.
*Affected countries include: Burundi, Central African Republic, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, the occupied Palestinian territories, South Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Uganda and Yemen.
Media contacts
Zina Alam, zialam@unfpa.org; media@unfpa.org
About UNFPA
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, working to uphold the rights and choices of women, girls and young people across more than 150 countries and territories. It reaches millions of women, girls and young people with essential health services, protection from violence, and vital information about their bodies and rights. It also helps governments plan for changing demographics, to build inclusive and resilient societies
