WFP stops food shipments after rebels loot warehouse in Yemen

Yemen has endured over a decade of civil war, causing severe humanitarian crises marked by widespread hunger. The World Food Program (WFP) recently suspended food shipments to regions controlled by Houthi rebels after a warehouse was looted in northern Yemen. This incident compounded the already dire food security situation in the country, where approximately 17 million people are food insecure, nearly half of its population. In February, the WFP reported that 62% of surveyed households struggled to access adequate food, a figure that has steadily increased over the preceding months. Prior to this latest incident, U.N. agencies, including the WFP, had already halted operations in Saada, the Houthi stronghold, after detaining incidents involving U.N. workers and the unfortunate death of a WFP member during detention. The organization managed minimal operations in other Houthi-controlled areas until the recent warehouse seizure forced them to halt all shipments there. WFP’s deputy director emphasized the severe implications of this suspension, noting it reflects a deteriorating food security landscape. Despite the challenges, the WFP seeks permission to distribute remaining food stocks located in other warehouses. If U.N. workers involved are released, the program may resume assistance to around 3 million people in Houthi-held regions. Moreover, the organization continues to provide food aid to approximately 1.6 million people in southern Yemen, regions governed by the internationally recognized government and allied forces; however, their operations are threatened due to funding cuts from the U.S. administration, which recently terminated support for emergency food programs in Yemen. As the situation evolves, the WFP faces the dual challenge of addressing growing humanitarian needs while navigating operational difficulties amidst ongoing hostilities and political instability. Approximately 200 WFP employees, constituting 40% of the organization’s workforce in Yemen, have been notified of reductions, highlighting how critically the aid landscape is being impacted. The WFP acknowledges the changing dynamics in the region but remains hopeful for resolutions in funding and operational authorization that could alleviate the mounting food insecurity crisis.