IKALA: Tariffs and trade disputes hamper humanitarian aid

As global leaders deliberate and impose trade tariffs on goods, the vulnerable people suffer

by BRIAN IKALA

News28 September 2025 - 05:20

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When trade tariffs are imposed on crucial supplies such as medicine, food and non-food items (NFIs), budget constraints begin to be felt and delivery times increase. These unexpected costs such as demurrage fees, checkpoint payments and prolonged storage often force humanitarian agencies to realign limited budgets, delay operations or reduce humanitarian coverage.

Customs delays can add as much as 30 per cent to delivery times, while tariffs might inflate aid costs by 15-25 per cent. A $300 (Sh38,757) per-truck fuel tax imposed in April last year in South Sudan briefly halted UN and NGO fuel convoys, forcing agencies to suspend airdrops that served more than 60,000 people because even “exempt” shipments were held at checkpoints pending payment.

In January last year, a consignment of humanitarian aid donated by the Egyptian Red Crescent Society to Pakistan, which was severely hit by floods, was delayed at Karachi port. Despite clearing all duties and taxes, unforeseen delays led to demurrage charges exceeding the value of the relief items. The Pakistan Red Crescent Society appealed for a waiver of these charges to ensure the aid reached those in need promptly.

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