The UN announced Sunday that it struck a deal with Yemen's Houthi militias to resume food aid, in areas falling under their control, which has been suspended since June 20.
Although the World Food Programme (WFP) affirmed that the agreement is a significant step towards guaranteeing the “accountability” of its humanitarian operations in Yemen, Houthis celebrated the agreement because they will be able to loot cash distribution.
WFP Herve Verhoosel said the "high-level agreement was an important step towards safeguards that guarantee the accountability of our humanitarian operation in Yemen".
“We are hopeful that technical details can be agreed in the coming days,” Verhoosel said in emailed comments to international news agencies, without giving further details of what was agreed.
Mohammed al-Houthi, head of the Houthis' Supreme Revolutionary Committee, tweeted that "cash distribution will soon begin in accordance with the mechanism".
UN sources expressed to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper WFP’s concern over its staff’s security in regions seized by the Houthis.
In Yemen, there are more than 640,000 employees from various nationalities working in areas controlled by the legitimate government and the Houthis.
Neither the program nor the Houthis announced the detailed mechanism of the deal, however, media affiliated with the insurgents revealed that the agreement includes effective and efficient distribution and to benefit the most needy.
On July 18, WFP head David Beasley announced an agreement in principle was reached with the Houthis to resume food aid to the areas they control.
After four years of civil war, the Yemeni people continue to suffer from malnutrition. However, the UN suspended food aid distribution in areas controlled by the insurgents on June 20 following accusations of embezzlement and
concern that food was being diverted from vulnerable people.
Beasley had warned that the aid will be gradually suspended if the program didn’t receive any guarantees from the Houthis.
