[01/01/2019 02:44]

ADEN-SABA
The World Food Program's remarks that the Houthis are stealing food aid "from the mouths of hungry people" emphasize what the local Supreme Committee for Relief Aid has always said, the Committee's chief said.

Abduraqeeb Fatah who is also the Minister of Local Administration told Saba in a statement: "The clear statement of the WFP executive director,David Beasley, that Houthis steal relief aid from the mouths of the hungry people, sell aid sell food, manipulate lists of aid recipients … emphasize what the committee always said."

He called on the international organizations to take supervisory measures to ensure aid does really reach the entitled beneficiaries in the areas of the rebels control.

In a letter sent to rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, Beasley said a survey the WFP carried out found that aid is only reaching 40 percent of eligible beneficiaries in the capital, Sana'a. He said the rebels are committing fraud and manipulation of aid recipients list. "This conduct amounts to the stealing of food from the mouths of hungry people," the letter said.

"If you don't act within 10 days, WFP will have no choice but to suspend the assistance ... that goes to nearly 3 million people," the letter warned. "This criminal behavior must stop immediately."

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