Houthis Threaten Relief Organizations, Impose New Conditions

Arab World

March 3rd, 8:10am

Aden - Ali Rabih

People carry food aid received from a local charity ahead of the holy month of Ramadan on the outskirts of Sanaa, Yemen, May 5, 2019. (Reuters)

The Iran-backed Houthi militias have threatened to bring the work of humanitarian organizations operating in Yemeni areas under their control to a halt, said local sources speaking on condition of anonymity. The Houthis have imposed new conditions in exchange for allowing humanitarian relief work to continue. They are now demanding that relief organizations obtain prior approval from the militias’ leaders on all the relief projects that they intend to implement in Houthi-controlled areas. They are also imposing the militias’ control over the implementation of projects. Sources pointed out that during a meeting with UN officials a few days ago, Houthi leader Mohammed Ali al-Houthi vowed to stop activities of humanitarian organizations, including United Nations agencies, if they did not adhere to the militias’ instructions. While Houthi obstruction prevented millions of people from receiving aid in Sanaa and other regions, official sources claimed the militias agreed with UN officials on procedures relating to handing over proposed projects to Houthi leaders for approval. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hadhrami affirmed the government's commitment to facilitating the mission of humanitarian aid organizations and workers in Yemen. In a meeting with the Deputy Manager of the General Department of Humanitarian Aid Operations at the EU, he said the government would continue to ensure that aid agencies can reach beneficiaries across the country. The minister deplored the Houthis’ consistent abuse of humanitarian assistance, either by looting or obstructing deliveries. He condemned the Houthis for the obstruction of efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis which the militias are blamed for triggering by mounting a coup and relentless insurgency since September 2014. In another development, Saudi Ambassador to Yemen and Supervisor of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber met in Riyadh with UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock. They reviewed efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia in the humanitarian, relief and economic fields in Yemen. They also discussed ways to alleviate the sufferings of the Yemeni people, especially in areas under Houthi control.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2160261/houthis-threaten-relief-organizations-impose-new-conditions