The ongoing Middle East conflict is intensifying pressure on the humanitarian supply of medicines in Africa, a sector already weakened by funding cuts, with non-profit organisations warning of dwindling stocks.
Rising fuel prices and transport challenges through the Strait of Hormuz are disrupting the delivery of medical supplies to crisis-hit regions across Africa, where conditions have already worsened following reductions in US aid.
“By the end of April, some of our medicine stocks will be depleted,” Rodrigue Alitanou, Director of Operations for medical NGO Alima, told AFP from Dakar. The organisation, which operates in 13 African countries, has raised concerns over the situation.
“If this goes on for a month and a half, two months, the warnings we are sounding will transform into direct impacts on the continuity of our activities,” he said.
Africa imports more than 70 per cent of its medicines and over 90 per cent of pharmaceutical ingredients. Alitanou warned that rising import costs linked to fuel prices are worsening access, noting that “an extra $2,000 in costs means 200 fewer children suffering from malnutrition will receive treatment.”
“We’re already seeing it in Sudan; we’re already seeing it in the DRC, and it’s starting to become apparent in most countries,” he added.
Middle East as supply hub
Positioned between Asia—the world’s leading producer of medicines—and Africa, the Middle East serves as a key transit route for pharmaceutical supplies. However, disruptions have affected several humanitarian logistics centres in Dubai, hindering shipments to Africa.
In Dubai, the World Health Organization (WHO) logistics hub, which distributes medicines to over 150 countries, was forced to cancel shipments at the onset of the conflict due to airspace closures and has since had to reroute deliveries.
“Supply lead times are lengthening because we cannot pass through the Strait of Hormuz and have to go via the Cape of Good Hope, particularly with cargo ships, so it is more expensive and adds 15 days to a month to the supply chain,” said Damien Dubois of MSF Supply, part of Doctors Without Borders.
A spokesperson for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria said the organisation has recorded “delays and cost increases”, although no shortages have yet been confirmed.
Anne Senequier of the Institute for International and Strategic Relations (IRIS) noted that while shortages are not yet widespread, the situation is placing additional strain on an already fragile system, with risks emerging in vulnerable regions.
Despite a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, instability persists in the Gulf, with ongoing strikes and disrupted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
“This ceasefire is a first step, but it is not enough,” Alitanou said. “Conflicts are ongoing in the Gulf states and continue to undermine our operations.”
Agathe Lamouret of MSF Supply warned that uncertainty remains high, particularly beyond the initial two-week truce.
Christian Lindmeier, a WHO spokesperson, added that “it will take several weeks to overcome the disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz”.
Growing risks for Africa
Africa’s heavy reliance on imports makes it especially vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions, according to Ines Alaoui of Coalition Plus.
“On the African continent we operate on a just-in-time basis. We don’t produce or stockpile more than is necessary,” she said.
Many organisations were already struggling with the effects of US aid cuts, including shortages of preventive medicines and antiretroviral drugs.
The current crisis is “further eroding healthcare”, Alaoui warned, adding, “We fear that people living with HIV will have to stop their treatment.”
Senequier also cautioned that worsening shortages could drive vulnerable populations towards counterfeit medicines, posing serious health risks.