Yemen’s Houthi militia claimed that World Food Programme lacked neutrality
The Houthi militia of Yemen which is accused of turning humanitarian aid in the war-torn country alleged on Friday that the World Food Programme lacked neutrality after it won the Nobel Peace Prize for fighting global hunger.
In the meantime, internationally-recognized government in Yemen has welcomed the choice of winner, indicating the wise and courageous leadership of David Beasley, the UN agency’s executive director.
It should be noted that Iran-supported Houthi militia has been struggling for control of Yemen since 2014. In the following year, an Arab military coalition interfered supporting the government.
Moreover, Talaat al-Sharjabi, a Houthi spokesman, informed AFP shortly after the announcement: We find that the WFP has largely failed in the biggest task for which it was chosen (for the Nobel Peace Prize), and that is combatting hunger. He also said: A large number of people suffer from malnutrition… and there is also a failure on the WFP’s part to be neutral in terms of humanitarian aid distribution.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s government praised the organization, and the chairman of Yemen’s relief committee, Abdul Raqib Fateh, informed AFP: The WFP plays a pivotal role in relief efforts in Yemen… and has been able to impose its conditions on the Houthi and implement different programs.
In fact, the relationship with WFP and the insurgents has been troubled, these rebels who control much of the north of the country, including the capital Sanaa.
The UN organization, and at the end of 2018, accused the rebels of criminal behavior and of selling food assistance, while the Houthis replied by alleging that the WFP was sending rotten food. The organization stopped deliveries in Houthi-controlled areas for two months last year since it pushed for a biometric registration plan to avoid the turning of supplies.
