Middle East war's impact on shipping hitting refugee aid: UNCHR

<p>The UN refugee agency on Friday said the Middle East war had sent its freight rates soaring, hitting the delivery of aid to refugees in the wider region and Africa.</p><p>Shipping rates from UNHCR's three main source countries for emergency supplies -- India, Pakistan and China -- have shot up by nearly 18 percent, the agency said, while delivery delays and port congestion are also having an impact.</p><p>Every extra dollar spent on fuel and higher war-risk shipping insurance premiums is a dollar less that can be spent in the field, UNHCR added.</p>