The conflict in the Middle East is blocking key air, sea and land routes, delaying lifesaving humanitarian aid intended for more than 410,000 children and their families in Sudan, Afghanistan and Yemen, according to Save the Children. The disruption follows fighting involving United States and Israeli forces and Iran, which has threatened shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global trade route.

The charity said shipping costs have surged by up to 50 percent as supplies are rerouted, leaving essential medicines and nutrition support stranded in transit hubs such as Dubai. In Sudan, medical supplies meant for more than 90 primary health care facilities are stuck, putting hundreds of thousands of children at risk of losing access to antibiotics, malaria treatments and other vital medicines.

Aid shipments to Afghanistan and Yemen have also been affected, with some supplies now requiring costly air or road transport. Save the Children warned that alternative routes could add thousands of dollars per shipment, straining already limited humanitarian budgets.

The organization urged all parties involved in the conflict to ensure safe passage for humanitarian goods, warning that further escalation could have grave consequences for vulnerable children far beyond the immediate war zone.