News - Yemen:  Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, a member of Yemen's Supreme Political Council, conveyed a message to David Beasley, the Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), in response to the program's cessation of humanitarian aid to Yemen.

Expressing deep regret, Al-Houthi highlighted the grave repercussions of halting aid for the Yemeni populace, emphasizing its detrimental impact on Yemen's food security and humanitarian well-being.

Al-Houthi characterized the suspension of the food aid program as a violation of ethical and humanitarian responsibilities, asserting that it escalates to the level of a crime against humanity.

"Yemen isn't just numbers and statistics; it's a nation grappling with the horrors of destruction, poverty, and death," he emphasized. "Children are perishing due to hunger, while mothers struggle to sustain their exhausted children, all consequences of aggression and an illegal blockade imposed on our people and country for over eight and a half years."

Appealing to the WFP, Al-Houthi urged a reconsideration of their decision to halt humanitarian aid, advocating for its continuity to deserving Yemenis without interruption or reduction.

He underscored that any reduction in aid would worsen the humanitarian crisis, leading to increased suffering among millions of Yemenis.

"Yemen is facing the worst global humanitarian crisis, with over 20 million people enduring severe food insecurity, including more than 12 million on the verge of famine," he emphasized.

Highlighting financial constraints as the reason behind the decision, Al-Houthi proposed alternative solutions, such as converting in-kind aid into cash to reduce operational expenses and empower beneficiaries to purchase essential food supplies.

He suggested that the WFP seek increased funding from donor countries to sustain humanitarian aid to Yemen without reductions or halts.

In his message, Al-Houthi referenced discussions with Corinne Fleischer, the Regional Director of the World Food Programme, and Resident Representative Richard Ragan, who clarified the program's intention to curtail humanitarian aid to Yemen.

The dire situation in Yemen includes more than half of its 30 million population facing acute hunger, with 2.3 million children under five at risk of malnutrition.

Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia, supported by allied states and backed by the US and Western nations, has waged a destructive military campaign aiming to reinstate a Riyadh-backed regime and suppress the Ansarullah movement.

Despite causing widespread devastation and tens of thousands of Yemeni casualties, the war has failed to achieve its objectives, leaving Yemen in the throes of the worst humanitarian crisis worldwide.

Yemeni forces have notably gained strength against the Saudi-led coalition in recent years, stalling the invaders' progress and entangling Riyadh and its allies in Yemen.