The World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday it would resume the distribution of food to 850,000 people in Yemen’s capital Sana'a next week after a two-month stoppage, having reached an agreement the Houthi group (Ansar Allah).
In a statement issued on Friday, the WFP said it would resume food distributions following Eid al Adha which ends on August 13. Spokesman Herve Verhoosel said a biometric registration process would be introduced for 9 million people living in areas under Houthi control.
“WFP is confident that putting in place biometrics will ensure food gets to the most deserving people and that diversion of vital food assistance is prevented,” the UN organisation said.
“The technical annex will allow WFP to establish an independent and accountable process to identify and register families who most need life-saving assistance,” Verhoosel said.
Yemen has been devastated by a five-year armed conflict between the government backed by the Saudi-led coalition and the Iran-backed Houthis. The conflict erupted after the Houthis ousted the government and seized power in late 2014.
The conflict has triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with most of the population in need for a type of humanitarian aid and immediate protection, including 14 million people risking famine and some 1.8 million children suffering malnutrition.
