Geneva, March 11 (QNA) - United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Tom Fletcher warned on Wednesday that the escalation in the Middle East is increasing pressure on humanitarian operations worldwide, disrupting supply chains and slowing the delivery of life-saving aid to a number of crisis areas.

In a statement, Fletcher said that this is a very critical moment for the Middle East, and indeed, the entire world.

He noted that aid supplies to Gaza and sub-Saharan Africa are being affected by the escalation, as humanitarian relief that needs to pass through the Strait of Hormuz or through Gulf airspace has been blocked or restricted.

Somalia, which is suffering from conflict and facing severe drought, and Sudan are among the many countries facing serious humanitarian crises, Fletcher added.

The Emergency Relief Coordinator said that these restrictions will harm humanitarian supply chains, reducing the flow of humanitarian aid delivered to those in need, and will also lead to rising energy and food costs across the region. (QNA)