Middle East - Medical Logistics Working Group Meeting Minutes, 25 March 2026

Content

1. Situation Update

After initial concerns about the movement of medical cargo in the Middle East region a few weeks ago, the attendees of the call reported that their organisations have been able to move medical cargo and that the situation had improved.

WFP reported that in Dubai, coordination for the shipment of medical cargo can be done with Dubai Humanitarian, including overland transport and charter flights.  Most humanitarian agencies, including WHO, UNICEF, and UNHRD, are receiving support for shipments.

2. Medical Logistics Working Group Survey

A Medical Logistics Working Group survey to collect information on the challenges moving health items in the region was shared two weeks prior.  There were only four responses to the survey, and only three of the respondents shared data:

• One respondent reported finding alternative routing for cargo stuck in Dubai
• Other respondents indicated issues with increased costs and lead time
• No major blockages reported
• The lack of responses overall indicates that most organisations do not have major challenges moving medical cargo to report

3.  Closure of Regional Medical Logistics Working Group

In light of the recent success moving health items in the region reported by attendees, the limited number of responses collected from the medical logistics survey, and the low attendance of the meeting by external partners, it was proposed that Regional Medical Logistics Working Group meetings be suspended with the possibility of restarting should new challenges arise.  All of the attendees of the call agreed that the group did not need dedicated calls at this time and that challenges with medical cargo would be brought to the Middle East regional logistics coordination calls going forward.

Partners interested in joining the Medical Logistics Working Group WhatsApp group, who did not already sign up in the previous survey, can fill in the sign-up form.

Contacts