The UN World Health Organization (WHO) reported that humanitarian aid shipments are gradually resuming from Dubai, a key logistics hub, after initial disruptions caused by Iranian attacks across the Gulf. Robert Blanchard, WHO Emergency Operations Team Lead, noted that although the first two weeks of the crisis caused significant delays, commercially scheduled cargo is now being booked, and the delivery of essential medical supplies is beginning to recover. Airlines in the region are operating at around 50–60 percent capacity, while additional charter flights and an Egypt-bound convoy carrying medicines for Gaza are expected to further accelerate aid delivery.
In Iran, the humanitarian situation is rapidly worsening, particularly in Tehran and southern cities, which face water and electricity cuts amid a nationwide internet blackout since 28 February. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) highlighted the immense personal toll on humanitarian responders, some of whom have lost family members while continuing rescue operations. WHO’s monitoring indicates 21 attacks on health workers and facilities, while 17 Red Crescent centers have been struck and nearly 100 ambulances damaged or destroyed, severely limiting access to lifesaving medical services.
In Lebanon, civilians are facing intensified Israeli strikes on areas linked to Hezbollah militants, with little or no warning before attacks. UN teams, including UNHCR and UNICEF, emphasized that safe spaces for civilians are virtually nonexistent, even in Beirut. More than one million people have fled their homes in just a few weeks, and women and girls report making devastating choices while fleeing under threat. The destruction of bridges in southern Lebanon has isolated over 150,000 people, complicating humanitarian access and limiting delivery of essential aid. Between 2–23 March, over 15 operations managed to bring relief to affected populations, though some convoys faced delays due to security risks.
Overall, while aid logistics are beginning to stabilize in the Gulf, humanitarian workers in Iran and Lebanon continue to confront extreme challenges, including attacks on health infrastructure, civilian displacement, and barriers to delivering essential relief in conflict-affected areas.
