A coalition of more than 20 Yemen-based charities has expressed “grave concern” over a United Nations decision earlier this month to freeze the delivery of food to Yemeni civilians, warning it threatened to worsen an already dire humanitarian crisis.
The World Food Programme announced on Dec. 5 that it planned to “pause” food shipments to northern Yemen, following more than a year of inconclusive negotiations with the country’s Houthi rebels over how to direct food aid to the neediest recipients.
“The decision to pause food assistance will exacerbate the already critical humanitarian situation, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly,” according to a statement by 22 charities, including the Yemen offices of CARE, Save the Children, and the International Rescue Committee. The pause threatens to foment “malnutrition, worsening health conditions, increased economic strain, and potentially fueling social unrest.”
About the author
Colum Lynch
Colum Lynch is an award-winning reporter and Senior Global Reporter for Devex. He covers the intersection of development, diplomacy, and humanitarian relief at the United Nations and beyond. Prior to Devex, Colum reported on foreign policy and national security for Foreign Policy Magazine and the Washington Post. Colum was awarded the 2011 National Magazine Award for digital reporting for his blog Turtle Bay. He has also won an award for groundbreaking reporting on the U.N.’s failure to protect civilians in Darfur.
