World Food Programme: Conflicts in Yemen prevent food aid from reaching 800 thousand people

In the statement made by WFP, it was stated that conflicts and security problems, especially in the city of Taiz, prevented access to humanitarian aid and that aid organizations were unable to reach more than 600 thousand people in the city, more than 200 thousand of whom were women and children.

The statement warned about the dangers of not being able to deliver life-saving aid to 800 thousand people across the country, and pointed out that more than 18 million people across Yemen face acute food insecurity.

In the statement, it was noted that approximately 2.2 million children under the age of 5 suffered from acute malnutrition, while 500 thousand of these children were affected by life-threatening acute malnutrition.

In WFP's statement, it was noted that in its latest monitoring studies in accessible areas, 74 percent of households could not meet their basic food needs.

In the statement, it was stated that 72 UN personnel, including 37 employees of WFP, were detained by the de facto administration of the Houthis, and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of these people.

In the statement, it was reported that WFP provided emergency aid to more than 115 thousand people displaced due to conflicts in areas where access is possible, and is ready to deliver aid to up to 1.5 million people if access opportunities arise.

Yemen is the scene of a civil war that started after the Houthis took control of the capital Sanaa and some provinces in September 2014.

While the conflicts between government forces and the Houthis continue to deepen the humanitarian crisis in the country, the Arab Coalition led by Saudi Arabia has been supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government since March 2015.