Higher fuel prices linked to the ongoing Iran conflict will reduce humanitarian aid worldwide, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Reuters reports.
Secretary-General Jan Egeland said increased energy costs are affecting everything from transport to food supplies. The NRC operates around 1,500 vehicles, many of which now cost significantly more to run due to rising diesel prices.
The higher costs also impact daily operations such as running schools, hospitals, and paying staff. According to Egeland, food purchased on local and regional markets has also become more expensive, making it harder to support displaced families.’
As a result, the NRC expects to assist fewer people in 2026, despite growing global humanitarian needs. At the same time, funding from donor countries has increasingly been redirected toward defence spending.
This is set to possibly hit NRC’s work in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
The organisation also highlighted ongoing challenges in Gaza, where it has operated since 2009. The NRC has lost its registration with Israeli authorities and now manages its operations remotely from Amman, while local staff continue work on the ground.
Egeland said aid access to Gaza remains limited, despite a ceasefire earlier this year, with humanitarian organisations still facing restrictions in delivering sufficient supplies to the population.
