US-Iran War Exacerbates Sudan's Medicine Shortages

In Qoz Nafisa village outside Sudan's capital Khartoum, residents like 61-year-old Abbas Awad are facing worsening medicine shortages due to the ongoing war between the United States and Iran, which began at the end of February and has disrupted global shipping routes critical for humanitarian aid.

Awad, who relies on medication for glaucoma, has started spacing out his doses to conserve supplies amid spiking prices and empty pharmacy shelves. "Money was already an issue because of the war at home," Awad said. "Now we have the problem of the war in the Middle East. It's just made things worse." Sudan's three-year civil conflict has already strained the country's health system, but the Middle East tensions have amplified the crisis by blocking key maritime pathways, including the Strait of Hormuz, and complicating routes from hubs like Dubai.

Aid organizations report that the standoff has halted vital shipments of food, medicine, and fuel to millions worldwide, including those in conflict zones. The United Nations estimates shipping costs have risen by up to 20 percent due to higher fuel and insurance rates, along with mandatory rerouting that causes significant delays. The...