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| Yemen war: UN appeals to Houthi rebels over aid | Yemen war: UN appeals to Houthi rebels over aid |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| The UN says food aid is being diverted by some corrupt and uncooperative officials in Houthi-held areas of Yemen, where millions of people are believed to be on the verge of famine. | The UN says food aid is being diverted by some corrupt and uncooperative officials in Houthi-held areas of Yemen, where millions of people are believed to be on the verge of famine. |
| David Beasley, head of the World Food Programme (WFP), told the BBC the agency's efforts to reach people in need were being repeatedly blocked. | David Beasley, head of the World Food Programme (WFP), told the BBC the agency's efforts to reach people in need were being repeatedly blocked. |
| He said he hoped "good Houthi leaders" would prevail over the corrupt ones. | He said he hoped "good Houthi leaders" would prevail over the corrupt ones. |
| On Monday, the agency warned of a possible suspension of aid delivery. | On Monday, the agency warned of a possible suspension of aid delivery. |
| Yemen is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world currently and some 12 million people - almost 40% of the population - are on the brink of starvation, according to Mr Beasley. Most of those most in need are in Houthi-controlled areas. | Yemen is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world currently and some 12 million people - almost 40% of the population - are on the brink of starvation, according to Mr Beasley. Most of those most in need are in Houthi-controlled areas. |
| Mr Beasley said that his unusual public criticism could backfire, with Houthi leaders providing even less access to humanitarian workers, but that children were dying as a result of this "desperate, desperate situation". | Mr Beasley said that his unusual public criticism could backfire, with Houthi leaders providing even less access to humanitarian workers, but that children were dying as a result of this "desperate, desperate situation". |
| "This violates the most fundamental international standards of humanitarian principles because innocent people are suffering from food diversion, theft, corruption," said Mr Beasley, who last year criticised the Saudi-led coalition for a blockade stopping vital assistance from reaching Yemen. | "This violates the most fundamental international standards of humanitarian principles because innocent people are suffering from food diversion, theft, corruption," said Mr Beasley, who last year criticised the Saudi-led coalition for a blockade stopping vital assistance from reaching Yemen. |
| "I know all the Houthis and the Houthi leaders aren't like that. There are good Houthi leaders and I hope they can prevail." | "I know all the Houthis and the Houthi leaders aren't like that. There are good Houthi leaders and I hope they can prevail." |
| On Monday, the WFP said its teams were being denied access to people in need, convoys had been blocked and local officials were interfering with food distribution, warning of a phased suspension of aid. | |
| Earlier this month, rebels pulled out of three key Red Sea ports - Hudaydah, Salif and Ras Issa - in partial implementation of a ceasefire deal agreed last December, according to the UN. | Earlier this month, rebels pulled out of three key Red Sea ports - Hudaydah, Salif and Ras Issa - in partial implementation of a ceasefire deal agreed last December, according to the UN. |
| This could allow vital humanitarian aid into the country. | This could allow vital humanitarian aid into the country. |
| The UN says at least 7,070 civilians have been killed and 11,205 injured since the conflict in Yemen started in 2015, with 65% of the deaths attributed to Saudi-led coalition air strikes. | The UN says at least 7,070 civilians have been killed and 11,205 injured since the conflict in Yemen started in 2015, with 65% of the deaths attributed to Saudi-led coalition air strikes. |
| Thousands more civilians have died from preventable causes, including malnutrition, disease and poor health. | Thousands more civilians have died from preventable causes, including malnutrition, disease and poor health. |