Four ways the Middle East crisis is impacting MSF’s work

The war in the Middle East has had a devastating impact on the lives of people in Iran and Lebanon, with thousands killed or injured and millions forced from their homes. At the same time, the war’s indirect impact across the whole region is complex and also affects Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF)’s ability to work.

Although ceasefires have brought some relief and allowed MSF teams to scale up our response, the situation remains extremely fragile.

As a result of the crisis, MSF is being forced to rethink how we operate as supply routes become unavailable, prices of essential medication and fuel rise, and people struggle to access medical care.

1.    Increased costs and delivery times for aid supplies

The Strait of Hormuz crisis, disruptions in the Red Sea, airspace restrictions, and rerouted cargo are increasing delivery times and costs across MSF supply chains, even as life-saving care is maintained. Essential items, including mosquito nets and medical gloves, are already becoming more expensive.

The impact is being felt in several places where we work: our teams are seeing medication delays in Syria, increased freight and fuel costs in Somalia, and continued shortages in Gaza due to the blockade of MSF supplies by Israeli authorities. This is alongside rising engine oil prices linked to global price increases.

To reduce the impact, MSF teams are working to reinforce capacity for medical logistics and fuel stocks across all our projects.

MSF international supply centres in Europe are trying to secure stocks and stabilise prices, while pressure on the system continues to intensify. MSF is also shipping more items from Asia, where delivery times are shorter.  

2.    The humanitarian response in Iran and Lebanon

Thousands of people in Iran and Lebanon have been killed or injured, and millions have been forced from their homes, often multiple times.

In Iran, the impact of the war continues to affect the health system, supply chains, and access to basic services, leaving many people struggling to access primary healthcare. MSF has recently opened a new clinic in Tehran to respond to these needs.

We have also reopened our clinic in South Tehran after temporarily suspending activities during the height of the bombing. Since the ceasefire, consultation numbers there have doubled.

In Lebanon, people continue to move between shelters and damaged homes, often living in dire conditions.

In southern Lebanon, Israeli attacks, ground incursions, and the occupation of Lebanese territory continue despite the announced ceasefire. MSF has scaled up its presence across the south, where humanitarian needs remain immense, and many people are still unable to return home. 

3.    Finding new routes to fight aid shortages

In Afghanistan, regular routes have been cut off, and MSF is trialling new overland corridors via Georgia and Russia. In Yemen, teams are choosing between costly air freight or uncertain road access. In Gaza, discussions are ongoing to secure humanitarian resupply channels. In Iran, MSF has managed to provide emergency medical supplies and kits to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

Despite these problem-solving efforts, the situation remains precarious. MSF currently has fuel supply in its projects, but there are growing concerns that several countries could face significant shortages or even completely run out of fuel, which would heavily impact MSF activities.

4.    The indirect health impact across the Middle East

The crisis is affecting access to healthcare and other essential services, both directly and indirectly.

In Syria, the number of people crossing the border from Lebanon has slowed down since the ceasefire, but vulnerable people still arrive needing care. Many returnees are living in damaged homes, overcrowded shelters, or unsuitable temporary arrangements.

In Palestine, access to essential services, including healthcare, remains severely constrained. Since the full blockade of MSF supplies was imposed by Israeli authorities on 1 January 2026, MSF facilities inside Gaza have faced further shortages in medication and other key supplies.

The movement of patients from Gaza to Jordan remains affected by the wider regional conflict despite the stable security situation in Jordan since the ceasefire. On 27 April, eight wounded children from Gaza and their caretakers arrived in Amman to MSF’s hospital, the first such arrival in three months.

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli military and settler violence and annexation have intensified with impunity, with at least 22 Palestinians killed in the West Bank in two months since the start of the regional escalation, and at least 33 killed this year. A sharp increase in checkpoints and movement restrictions in the West Bank further fragment Palestinian villages and towns, increase fear in seeking healthcare, and delayed access to healthcare.  

In Yemen, health needs are rising, especially for people in need of chronic disease care and mental health support.