UN Food Agency Partly Suspends Yemen Aid in Dispute Over Biometric Registration

The World Food Programme began a partial suspension of food aid to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, including the capital Sana'a, on 20 June 2019. A WFP spokesperson said the agency had sought the authorities' support to introduce a biometric registration system to prevent aid diversion and had not reached agreement. WFP called the step a last resort and said nutrition programmes for malnourished children and pregnant and nursing mothers would continue. A deal to resume full deliveries was reported that August.