WFP Stops Food Delivery in Yemen, Millions of People Suffer

Despite more than six million people in dire need of aid, the World Food Programme is halting food distribution in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The UN food agency took this drastic step after it failed to reach an agreement with donors on reducing the number of people in need of aid by three million.

WFP said food stocks in Yemen, in Houthi-controlled areas, have almost run out. It highlighted that even if food assistance is resumed, it would take four months because of the disruption in the supply chain. The agency added that it would maintain its livelihoods, nutrition, and school feeding programs for as long as it has sufficient funding and the cooperation of authorities.

The WFP has been facing a funding crisis for its Yemen operations. The agency has had to make cuts to malnutrition prevention activities in Yemen.

Yemen Crisis

Malnutrition is widespread in war-torn Yemen. Humanitarian crisis, here, is among the worst in the world – widespread hunger, disease and attacks on civilians. The seven-year old war in Yemen turned into a proxy conflict with Iran-backed Houthis against a multinational coalition led by Saudi Arabia, and the involvement of other militant Islamist groups and separatist groups have further complicated this war. The US warned that Yemen’s instability has weakened long-running counterterrorism efforts.

The common civilians in Yemen are paying the high cost of the war. Three-quarters of its population is living in poverty. According to the UN refugee agency, three out of four Yemenis require humanitarian aid and protection, and four million are internally displaced. The situation worsened because of year long de facto land, sea, and air blockade imposed by coalition forces – this obstructed the flow of vital supplies of food and medicine, and helped drive up prices of essential goods.

The UN Development Program states that more than 370,000 people have died because of the war, lack of food and water, and proper health services.

Peace in Yemen

Though there has been less fighting in Yemen in 2023, suffering remains. The Houthis and Saudi Arabia have been at the dialogue table, but little progress has been made. Peace Prospects have been complicated because of calls by the Southern Transition Council for an independent southern Yemeni state.

Read More: Doha GCC Summit: Gaza Conflict Dominates Agenda, Turkey-GCC Ties In Focus

The UN, NGOs, and human rights activists the world over are calling on the involved parties to prioritize peace and actively engage in diplomatic efforts for a lasting solution in Yemen.