World Food Programme Suspends Distribution in North Yemen

Facts

• The World Food Programme (WFP) announced the suspension of its general food distribution in northern Yemen on Tuesday, citing limited funding and disagreements with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels who control the area over how to supply those most in need.¹
• The decision was taken in agreement with donors after nearly a year of negotiations with the Houthis failed to produce an agreement to reduce the number of people supported from 9.5M to 6.5M, the WFP said. It added resumption of supplies could take up to four months due to supply chain disruptions.²
• However, other programs, including nutrition and school feeding programs, would continue to ease the decision's impact, according to the UN agency. The WFP also said general food distribution will continue in areas controlled by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, based in the southern port city of Aden, with a focus on those most in need.³
• The WFP statement came a day after the US announced it may establish a naval task force with partner nations to escort commercial vessels in the Red Sea after the Houthis fired ballistic missiles at three ships on Sunday. It was their latest attack on commercial vessels in one of the world's most vital shipping routes.⁴
• The capture of the capital Sanaa by the Iranian-backed Houthis in 2014 prompted a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia to intervene in support of the Yemeni government. Since the war erupted in 2015, the most impoverished country on the Arabian Peninsula has been experiencing one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises.⁵
• In late October, the Rome-based WFP and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) issued a warning that the acute food crisis in Yemen is likely to worsen by April 2024. To protect basic livelihoods and improve food access, both UN bodies called for urgent and increased aid for Yemen and 17 other 'hunger hotspots.'⁶

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²WFP, ³Reuters, ⁴Associated Press, ⁵Barron's and ⁶Arab News.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by The Public's Radio. This has been a painful decision for the WFP due to a drop in aid resources and the fact that the Houthis have prevented an agreement on the establishment of a secure and accountable aid distribution mechanism. However, it is not only the Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen that are affected — the WFP had to make similar decisions in almost half of its global operations as the organization struggles with declining funding for its programs, as does the entire humanitarian sector. The international community must act now to fulfill its humanitarian responsibilities.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Al Mayadeen. While the WFP blames the Houthis for its disastrous decision, it was a politically motivated measure taken under US pressure in violation of international humanitarian law. It is no coincidence that the move comes just as the Houthis are launching operations in support of Palestinians in Gaza —who are suffering their own humanitarian apocalypse at the hands of Israel. The Yemeni people will not back down and remain committed to supporting the Palestinians' just struggle for freedom and dignity.

Predictions