The World Food Programme (WFP) in Yemen has announced the suspension of its general food assistance program in areas controlled by the Houthis. This decision is attributed to limited funding and the failure to reach an agreement with the authorities for a smaller-scale program that aligns with the resources available for the most vulnerable and needy families.
According to the United Nations Media Centre, the WFP stated, “This difficult decision, taken in consultation with donors, comes after nearly a year of negotiations, which did not yield an agreement to reduce the number of direct food aid beneficiaries from 9.5 million to 6.5 million people.”
The WFP added that “food stocks are almost completely exhausted in areas under the control of the Sana’a authorities. Resuming food assistance, even with an immediate agreement with the authorities, could take up to four months due to disruptions in the humanitarian food aid supply chain.”
Furthermore, the Program will continue its initiatives focused on enhancing resilience, livelihoods, nutrition, and school meals to mitigate the impact of the temporary suspension of food distribution. This continuation is subject to the availability of necessary funding and cooperation from the authorities in Sana’a.
