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UN finalises accord with Yemen rebels to resume food aid
SANAA, Aug 4, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The United Nations and Yemen’s Huthi rebels
announced Sunday an agreement to resume delivery of food aid suspended for
six weeks in areas controlled by the group.
The agreement was signed on Saturday in the rebel-held capital Sanaa,
Huthi-controlled media said.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) “signed a high level agreement that is
an important step towards safeguards that guarantee the accountability of our
humanitarian operation in Yemen”, WFP spokesperson Herve Verhoosel said in an
email to AFP.
“We are hopeful that technical details can be agreed in the coming days,”
he added.
The agreement includes a biometric database of civilians in need of aid in
order to guarantee “effective and efficient distribution” and to “benefit the
most needy”, according to the Huthis’ Alsyasiah website.
The agreement also stipulates “total transparency” in the registration of
beneficiaries and distribution of aid, it added.
On July 18, WFP head David Beasley announced an agreement in principle was
reached with the Huthis to resume food aid to the areas they control.
The UN had suspended deliveries of food aid to rebel-held areas on June 20
following accusations of “diversion of food” meant for Yemeni civilians.
Fighting between the Iran-backed Huthis and government forces aided by a
Saudi-led coalition has killed tens of thousands of people, most of them
civilians, aid agencies say.
The conflict has also forced some 3.3 million people from their homes and
24.1 million, some 80 percent of the population, is in need of aid, according
to the UN.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1729 hrs