Project – Impact of hormuz crisis on humanitarian supply chains, global public health systems and daily medical care.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategically significant maritime chokepoints in the world, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil trade and a substantial proportion of international seaborne commerce passes (United Nations, 2026). In recent years, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region—commonly referred to as the Hormuz crisis—have intensified disruptions to global trade routes, energy supply chains, and humanitarian logistics networks. The crisis has generated widespread concern among international organizations due to its ripple effects on essential services, particularly humanitarian supply chains, global public health systems, and daily medical care delivery.

Humanitarian supply chains are highly sensitive to geopolitical instability because they depend on predictable transport routes, stable fuel prices, and efficient customs and logistics coordination. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have led to increased shipping costs, rerouting of vessels, and delays in the delivery of essential commodities such as food aid, medical supplies, and emergency relief materials. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), instability in the Gulf region has significantly increased operational costs and delayed the movement of relief goods across multiple crisis-affected regions, particularly in Asia and Africa (UNOCHA, 2026).

The global public health system is equally vulnerable to such disruptions. Modern health systems rely on globalized pharmaceutical supply chains, with active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), vaccines, and essential medicines often produced and transported across multiple continents. The Hormuz crisis has exposed structural weaknesses in this system, as congestion and insecurity in the Strait have increased lead times and reduced the availability of critical medical products. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that conflict-related disruptions in the Middle East are already affecting health service delivery in over a dozen countries, placing millions at risk of inadequate access to care (WHO, 2026).

Furthermore, daily medical care at the facility level is directly affected by supply shortages, inflated costs, and logistical bottlenecks. Hospitals and clinics in both developed and developing nations have reported challenges in maintaining consistent supplies of antibiotics, vaccines, and consumables such as syringes and IV fluids. Studies indicate that disruptions in global chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz can trigger cascading effects that extend far beyond the immediate region, undermining continuity of care, increasing mortality risks, and weakening emergency preparedness systems (BMJ, 2026).

In essence, the Hormuz crisis represents not only a geopolitical or economic issue but also a critical global health security challenge. Its effects on humanitarian logistics, medical supply chains, and healthcare service delivery highlight the interconnectedness of modern global systems and the fragility of essential services in the face of geopolitical instability.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite advancements in global logistics and health system strengthening, the increasing instability in the Strait of Hormuz has exposed persistent vulnerabilities in humanitarian and medical supply networks. The crisis has led to significant disruptions in shipping routes, increased transportation costs, and delays in the delivery of essential goods, including food aid and life-saving medical supplies. These disruptions are particularly concerning for low- and middle-income countries that depend heavily on international humanitarian assistance and imported pharmaceuticals.

Empirical evidence suggests that ongoing tensions in the Hormuz region have resulted in reduced vessel traffic, increased insurance premiums, and congestion at alternative ports, thereby straining already fragile humanitarian supply systems (UN, 2026). As a result, humanitarian organizations face difficulties in pre-positioning and distributing relief materials during emergencies, leading to inefficiencies in response times and increased vulnerability among affected populations.

In the health sector, the crisis has contributed to shortages of essential medicines and medical consumables. The WHO has reported that conflict-related disruptions in the Middle East have led to stranded medical supplies and reduced access to critical healthcare services in several countries (WHO, 2026). Similarly, pharmaceutical supply chains have become increasingly unstable due to reliance on long, interconnected global distribution networks that pass through or depend on the stability of the Gulf region (Baker McKenzie, 2026).

At the level of daily medical care, healthcare providers are experiencing difficulties in sustaining routine services due to inconsistent supply flows. Clinics and hospitals face stockouts of essential drugs, delayed laboratory supplies, and increased operational costs. These challenges undermine the quality of care, increase patient waiting times, and may contribute to preventable morbidity and mortality.

The problem is therefore not only the existence of geopolitical instability in the Strait of Hormuz but also its cascading effects on global humanitarian logistics, public health system resilience, and everyday medical service delivery. If these disruptions persist without effective mitigation strategies, global health equity and emergency response capacity may be further compromised.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of the Hormuz crisis on humanitarian supply chains, global public health systems, and daily medical care.

Specific objectives include:

1. To assess the effect of the Hormuz crisis on humanitarian supply chain efficiency.
2. To evaluate the impact of the crisis on global public health system performance.
3. To examine how the crisis affects the availability and delivery of daily medical care services.
4. To identify strategies for strengthening resilience in humanitarian and health supply systems during geopolitical disruptions.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How does the Hormuz crisis affect humanitarian supply chain operations globally?
2. What is the impact of the crisis on global public health systems?
3. In what ways does the crisis influence daily medical care delivery?
4. What measures can improve resilience in health and humanitarian logistics during such crises?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

H₀: There is no significant relationship between the Hormuz crisis and the effectiveness of humanitarian supply chains, global public health systems, and daily medical care delivery.

H₁: There is a significant relationship between the Hormuz crisis and the effectiveness of humanitarian supply chains, global public health systems, and daily medical care delivery.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to policymakers, humanitarian organizations, and health system planners. It provides insight into how geopolitical instability affects global health security and humanitarian logistics. The findings will assist international agencies such as the WHO, UN agencies, and NGOs in designing more resilient supply chain systems. It will also contribute to academic literature on global health governance and supply chain risk management.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on the impact of the Hormuz crisis on humanitarian supply chains, global public health systems, and daily medical care. It covers global implications with emphasis on regions dependent on international aid and pharmaceutical imports.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

• Hormuz Crisis: Geopolitical instability and conflict-related disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz maritime route.
• Humanitarian Supply Chains: Systems involved in the procurement and distribution of relief materials during emergencies.
• Public Health Systems: Organized efforts and institutions responsible for delivering healthcare services to populations.
• Medical Care: Routine and emergency healthcare services provided in clinical and community settings.

Project – Impact of hormuz crisis on humanitarian supply chains, global public health systems and daily medical care.