Middle East War Halts Work At WHO’s Dubai Emergency Hub
WHO Suspends Dubai Emergency Logistics Hub Operations Over Middle East Conflict
March 5, 2026
The World Health Organization (WHO) has suspended operations at its global emergency logistics hub in Dubai due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the agency’s chief announced on Thursday.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the war—triggered by recent US-Israeli attacks on Iran—is having far-reaching consequences beyond the directly affected countries.
“Operations at WHO’s logistics hub for global health emergencies in Dubai are currently on hold due to insecurity,” Tedros said during a press briefing.
The hub plays a critical role in delivering emergency medical supplies worldwide. According to WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Director, Hanan Balkhy, the facility processed more than 500 emergency orders for 75 countries last year.
Balkhy warned that the disruption is now threatening humanitarian health supply chains. She explained that airspace closures and restrictions affecting access to the Strait of Hormuz have halted operations at the facility.
As a result, about $18 million worth of humanitarian health supplies cannot be accessed, while another $8 million in shipments are unable to reach the hub.
The disruption has already affected more than 50 emergency supply requests from 25 countries, including about $6 million worth of medicines destined for the war-torn Gaza Strip.
Additional delays include $1.6 million in polio laboratory supplies, which could significantly impact vaccination and monitoring efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan—two countries where polio remains endemic.
WHO officials said they are working with authorities in the United Arab Emirates to find ways to resume operations at the Dubai hub. The agency is also exploring alternative supply routes through logistics centers in Nairobi, Dakar, and Brindisi.
If the conflict continues, Balkhy noted that the WHO may consider land routes through the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, although the agency hopes such measures will not become necessary.
“The Dubai hub is an extremely important lifeline for humanitarian response,” Balkhy said.
Meanwhile, WHO said it is coordinating health responses across 16 affected countries, supporting ministries of health and humanitarian partners to maintain essential medical services while preparing for potential mass casualties and displacement.
The organisation is also strengthening disease surveillance and increasing readiness for possible chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risks linked to the conflict.
Tedros additionally warned about the dangers posed to nuclear facilities during the fighting.
“Any compromise to nuclear safety could have serious public health consequences,” he said.
The WHO also raised concerns about attacks on healthcare facilities during the conflict. The organisation confirmed 13 attacks on health facilities in Iran, which killed four people and injured 25 others. Another attack in Lebanon reportedly killed three paramedics and wounded six.
“Under international humanitarian law, health care must be protected and must not be attacked,” Tedros stressed.