WFP calls for action to end misuse of food aid in Yemen

By Faruk Zorlu and Ecenur Colak

ANKARA (AA) - The World Food Programme (WFP) on Monday has called for an action to end the misuse of food relief perpetrated by WFP's local partner in Yemen’s capital Sanaa.

“A WFP survey of registered beneficiaries has revealed that many in the capital have not been receiving the food rations to which they are entitled. In other areas, hungry people have been denied full rations,” the UN agency said in a statement.

“What the checks unearthed was fraud being perpetrated by at least one local partner organisation tasked by WFP with handling and distributing its food assistance,” it added.

The statement said that the survey discovered that some food relief is being given to people not entitled to it and some is being sold for gain in the markets of the capital.

"The local organisation is affiliated with the de facto Ministry of Education in Houthi rebels-controlled Sanaa," it added.

Yemen plunged into civil war in 2014 when Shia Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including the capital, Sana’a, forcing the government to flee to Saudi Arabia.

David Beasley, WFP’s executive director said: "This criminal behaviour must stop immediately."

"Unless this happens, we’ll have no option but to cease working with those who’ve been conspiring to deprive large numbers of vulnerable people of the food on which they depend," Beasley added.

Additionally, Herve Verhoosel, spokesperson for the WFP told Anadolu Agency that it is “sad and unacceptable” that some people try to benefit from the suffering of people.

“At the end of January, WFP will provide food to up to 12 million people a month in Yemen,” Verhoosel added.

A year later, Saudi Arabia and several Arab allies launched a massive air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi military gains.

The Saudi-led campaign in Yemen has devastated the country's infrastructure, including its health and sanitation systems, prompting the UN to describe it as one of the worst humanitarian disasters of modern times.