Humanitarian Logistics: A Lifeline Must Not Be a Political Weapon - By Al-Amin Abba Dabo

The world has watched with growing concern as political interests continue to obstruct the delivery of life-saving aid across multiple conflict zones. Recent events in Gaza, where an 11-week blockade ended with the entry of just five aid trucks - labelled by the UN as "a drop in the ocean" - are just the latest illustration of a deeper, systemic issue. Similar patterns can be seen in Yemen, Syria, Sudan, and parts of the Sahel, where humanitarian logistics are routinely entangled in political decision-making, often to devastating effect.

Humanitarian logistics are designed to be swift, neutral, and life-saving. Yet all too often, they are reduced to bargaining chips in geopolitical standoffs. Whether it is the restriction of airspace, the denial of border access, or conditional approvals based on military interests, these political blockades violate not only the spirit but also the letter of international humanitarian law. The Geneva Conventions explicitly require unfettered humanitarian access, yet enforcement remains weak and highly politicised.

This politicisation has real-world consequences. From malnourished children in besieged towns to entire populations cut off from medical supplies, the toll is devastating. The challenge is not always a lack of resources or personnel; rather, it is a failure of political will to uphold humanitarian norms and decouple aid from strategy.

It is clear that humanitarian logistics need a rethink. There must be renewed momentum to establish apolitical, protected humanitarian corridors governed by international consensus and monitored by independent bodies. Technology can also play a transformative role - using digital tracking systems, blockchain for supply chain transparency, and satellite monitoring to verify that aid is not only delivered but delivered where and when it is needed.

Organisations such as the Humanitarian Logistics Association are well-placed to lead this charge. As practitioners, researchers, and advocates, we must press for frameworks that prioritise lives over politics. This includes lobbying for stronger accountability mechanisms at international forums and ensuring that logistics professionals are trained not only in distribution efficiency but in legal and ethical navigation of conflict contexts.

Humanitarian aid must never be held hostage by politics. If we are to restore credibility and effectiveness to humanitarian response, we must reassert its neutrality and protect its channels. Logistics is not simply about moving goods - it is about preserving dignity, rights, and, ultimately, life.