UN Food Agency Halts Supplies To Millions In Houthi Rebel-held Areas Of Yemen

UNITED NATIONS: The UN food agency of the United Nations announced on Tuesday that it is halting food distribution in war-torn Yemeni districts under the control of the Houthi rebels. This decision would affect millions of people.

According to the World Food Program, the “pause” was caused by a shortage of financing and a breakdown in communication between the rebel authorities and the program’s downsizing to fit the agency’s capabilities.

The World Food Program (WFP) stated in a statement that it had taken a difficult choice after consulting with donors and bargaining for almost a year without reaching an agreement to lower the number of people it serves from 9.5 million to 6.5 million.

WFP has made futile attempts, according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, “to establish a system that is safe and accountable for the aid going through” to the areas controlled by the rebels.

Eight years have passed since the Houthis, supported by Iran, began fighting against pro-government forces in Yemen, who are supported by a coalition of Gulf Arab powers. 2014 saw the Houthis overrun the country’s highlands, gain control of much of northern Yemen, including Sanaa, the capital, and drive the internationally recognized government into exile in Saudi Arabia. Since then, the violence has claimed the lives of over 150,000 people and resulted in 3 million being displaced.