Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sanaa (Agenzia Fides) – Getting food aid to more than 300,000 internally displaced persons IDPs in northern Yemen is a complex task for logistics and coordination. The United Nations World Food Programme, (WFP), with the help of local NGOs, is working to guarantee equal distribution to all displaced families, including 60,000 children under five years of age. Food distribution operations are necessary in the districts of Hajjah, al-Jawf, Saada, Sanaa and Amran. The origin of the food aid depends on the type of product and the costs of international products. If the local prices are competitive WFP tends to purchase local products. Cereals and salt for example come from Yemen itself, whereas other products are imported at the regional or international level according to prices. The food is distributed in sacks to WFP central warehouses in the capital Sanaa, or directly to operative WFP offices in Saada, Amran and Hajjah. The agency engages local hauliers to transport the food from warehouses to distribution points. The choice of itinerary depends entirely on the military situation. Insufficient funds, insecurity and difficult access are the principal challenges. Since May 2010 WFO has had to halve the size of rations in order to avoid a total suspension of food aid. Access with food products is still a major problem especially in northern and western Saada, and the district of Harf Sufyan in Amran province. The most difficult place to reach is al-Jawf, where the UN High Commission for Refugees has registered 17,794 IDPs, and this is due to tribal insecurity which has affected the country for many years and fighting between the regular army and Houthi insurgents. (AP) (31/7/2010 Agenzia Fides)
