Amid renewed escalation of conflict in the Middle East, a new ACFID report, From the Field: Impacts of the US-Iran Conflict on Communities Working with Australian NGOs, highlights the growing consequences of the US-Iran conflict on vulnerable communities. Drawing on evidence from Australian NGOs and their local partners, the report documents rising costs, disrupted supply chains and increasing pressure on communities already facing significant hardship.

“With the conflict re-escalating, humanitarian and development assistance is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to deliver to the most vulnerable communities. Innocent civilians pay the ultimate price of conflict,” said ACFID CEO, Matthew Maury.

The renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz is of significant concern, continuing to disrupt critical supply routes and increase the costs of fuel, fertiliser, food and essential goods.

ACFID members working in countries including Vanuatu, Myanmar, Afghanistan and South Sudan are seeing how the war related global shocks disproportionately affect communities already facing poverty, food insecurity, displacement and fragile health systems.

“Conflict is placing immense pressure on communities that have already endured years of instability. Australian NGOs are reporting power outages affecting hospitals and other critical services due to fuel shortages, while rising food and fertiliser prices are making it increasingly difficult for families to meet their basic needs,” said Mr Maury.

“In Vanuatu, rising fuel prices have significantly increased the cost of boat travel for communities on remote islands. For residents of Tutuba Island, where there is no local healthcare facility, the increased cost of accessing medical care has had devastating consequences, including reports of maternal deaths during childbirth when families could not afford transport to reach essential health services,” said Mr Maury.

The continued conflict comes at a time when global humanitarian funding is under significant strain, with aid funding levels falling while needs continue to rise.

Read the latest case studies from ACFID members on the impacts of the US-Iran conflict on communities working with Australian NGOs here. For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact ACFID Media at [email protected] or call 0401 721 064.