Red Cross head says aftershocks of Strait of Hormuz closure will still be felt in 2027

A leading International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) official has warned that the consequences of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, due to the Iran war, may continue to be felt for months to come. Yasmine Praz Dessimoz, ICRC's director of operations, explained that the closure of the Strait, which previously handled around 20% of global crude oil shipments, has already caused significant challenges for communities worldwide.

The ongoing disruption of oil and gas flows, along with attacks on energy infrastructure, has far-reaching implications for the global economy and energy security. Dessimoz expressed uncertainty about the state of the world economy and energy security in 2027, as inflation and the lack of fertiliser production continue to impact harvests in various regions, including Africa's Horn of Africa and Myanmar.

The ICRC official also highlighted the difficult decisions aid workers face when choosing which lives to save in perilous conditions. She shared an example from Gaza, where a surgeon had to decide between abandoning a patient or stopping the surgery to go into a shelter. Dessimoz emphasized the need for protection of aid workers and safe access to reach those in need, especially during World Humanitarian Day.

The ICRC official stressed the importance of respecting the neutrality of humanitarian organizations, particularly in war zones, and called for stronger support from countries like the UAE amid widespread aid cuts. Despite the challenges, Dessimoz expressed hope in the resilience and determination of displaced people to rebuild their lives.