United Nations Calls On Gulf Nations To Help Evacuate 6000 Seafarers From War-Torn Region

The United Nations has urged countries in the Gulf to help evacuate and repatriate the 6000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf due to the ongoing U.S-Iran war, which erupted on February 28, 2026, after the U.S and Israel launched attacks on the Islamic Republic.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, told media that governments, ship owners, operators and stakeholders must cooperate to rescue the seafarers in the war-torn region.

He added that they are currently facing a serious humanitarian crisis along with worsening mental health as they survive every day, in fear of being killed in a missile or drone attack from either U.S or Iranian forces.

The U.N officials said that attacks on commercial vessels are not acceptable and that they should stop, emphasising that seafarers are protected by international humanitarian laws.

Seafarers are exposed to attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, and 17 of them have died since the war began.

The U.N. human rights office also said that some shipowners had abandoned their crew members at sea and left them without food, water, and other essential supplies.

According to the latest reports, atleast 93 seafarers on 9 vessels have been abandoned without wages and any form of support.

A few non-profit organisations working for seafarer welfare are helping them with the basic supplies and essentials.

Many have also not been able to call their family and friends, which has caused them as well as their loved ones great distress.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has said that approximately 6,000 seafarers remain stranded onboard hundreds of ships in the strait.

Unfortunately, they were unable to evacuate despite the short ceasefire agreement, which came to an end after the U.S and Iran held different views on the control and management of Hormuz and resumed attacks on each other’s assets in the region.

Seafarers have been the collateral damage in this war, which has nothing to do with them.