Barran Press - Inas Al-Hemiary
Amid the ongoing conflict in Yemen, which escalated following the Houthi group's takeover of the capital, Sana'a, on September 21, 2014, millions of Yemenis continue to face severe economic and humanitarian challenges.
According to UN data, 17 million Yemenis are experiencing food insecurity, with 6.1 million classified as being in the fourth phase of the international classification—a critical stage just before famine. One in five families suffers from severe gaps in food security, leading to increased mortality rates.
As the need for food assistance has surged, some families have been shocked to find their names removed from the lists of beneficiaries provided by the World Food Programme and other international organizations, “without sufficient explanation.” This has sparked frustration among those in need, who now face the grim reality of potential starvation.
Shock and Questions
Manal Abdulmalik, a mother of five, expressed her dismay when she went to collect her food basket, only to discover her name had been removed from the beneficiary list. “The food assistance eased much of our burden; my husband’s sporadic work barely covers our rent, and the aid helps meet our basic household needs,” she told Barran Press.
When asked about the reason for her exclusion, she said, “I was told it was a decision from the organization, with no further clarification. I returned home feeling broken.” She lamented, “How will I provide food for my children? How will I divide the little money I have among their various needs, like education, food, and rent?”
Manal's experience reflects the reality faced by many families previously reliant on food aid, who suddenly find themselves excluded.
Excluded from Aid
Zainab Al-Wadhahi, a widow and mother of daughters, similarly lost her share of food assistance after her husband drowned. She began working as a cleaner in a school to support her family. “I used to receive a food basket from CARE, a major international humanitarian organization until I was abruptly cut off from this vital assistance,” she recounted.
Zainab explained that the aid provided essential items like rice and oil, which helped feed her family. “I registered with CARE and received a food basket every month. But this time, my name was removed, citing that my information was inconsistent, despite it being correct,” she said. “Now, I find myself suddenly excluded, without understanding the real reason for this decision.”
In her closing remarks, Zainab noted, “Many families like mine have also been removed from the lists, despite their poverty and dire need, with no recourse to address this situation.”
Psychological and Social Impact
The sudden removal from aid lists without prior notice has thrust affected families into increasingly difficult living and economic conditions.
Interviews conducted by Barran Press reveal significant psychological and social repercussions for families that have lost their food assistance, especially those who relied on these provisions for basic nutritional needs. Zainab shared, “I felt betrayed when my name was removed; that food basket provided what my meager income could not.”
Reflecting on her current situation, she stated, “We are forced to seek other solutions, even though I can barely manage our daily expenses.”
International Shortages and Local Deficits
Ibrahim Al-Musalami, a representative from the Tamdeen Youth Foundation, a local NGO, explained to Barran Press that the primary reason thousands of families have been removed from the World Food Programme (WFP) assistance lists is due to “a shortage of international funding.”
“There is a significant lack of funding for international organizations operating in Yemen, including the WFP,” he noted, adding, “This shortage has forced the program to reduce the number of beneficiaries and the amount of assistance provided.”
Al-Musalami stated that this reduction is not limited to Taiz province but extends throughout various regions of Yemen. He detailed the evaluation process that led to these exclusions, which involved field teams conducting assessments of each household. Families that showed slight improvements in their situations or had alternative income sources were removed from the lists.
He emphasized that while some families may have improved due to members working abroad, many still suffer from extreme poverty and require assistance. Regarding the government’s role through the Executive Unit for Displaced Persons, he described it as “limited,” primarily overseeing activities but lacking the budget to compensate families removed from the WFP program.
Field Assessments
Discussing the criteria used by international agencies to determine beneficiary families, Al-Musalami explained that clear standards define who qualifies for assistance. These criteria, developed in collaboration with local and international partners, are applied rigorously by field teams collecting data.
However, he acknowledged significant challenges in verifying the accuracy of the information provided, especially given rapidly changing living conditions. “Some families may be excluded based on outdated or incorrect information, which could deny deserving families the aid they need,” he warned.
Aid Cycle Changes
Community activist Maha Aoun noted that between 2020 and 2021, the WFP planned to reduce the number of beneficiaries due to global crises such as the war in Ukraine. With the escalation of current conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, the program faces even greater pressure.
She explained that the program initially shifted from food distribution to cash assistance in some areas, such as Hadramout and Aden, providing around 10,000 rials per family member. This approach helped eliminate fraudulent registrations but has since reverted to food distribution.
Aoun reported that the once comprehensive food baskets have gradually diminished. Beneficiaries now receive only half of what they previously did, with some families experiencing delays of three to four months between distributions. Recently, approximately 35% of beneficiaries have been dropped from the lists.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Aoun observed that many families had relied heavily on food baskets since the start of the war, even expressing joy when receiving them. However, with some families now excluded, others are starting to explore alternative solutions, such as small business ventures.
Centralized Criteria
Aoun confirmed that the responsibility for determining beneficiaries lies not with implementing agencies but with the WFP itself, which maintains a comprehensive database. She noted that the program applies rigorous standards, sometimes excluding families who have children in private schools, even if they are in dire circumstances.
For instance, she shared the story of a single mother living in a single room under miserable conditions who was removed from the list, possibly due to criteria related to household size or housing status.
A Likely Conclusion
Overall, Aoun speculated that the WFP may be aiming to end food basket distributions after more than a decade of support. She mentioned that the program is conducting studies to assess how beneficiaries are affected during periods without aid.
The impacts vary, with some families severely affected while others adapt to the new reality. Aoun believes that this cut-off could ultimately benefit remaining beneficiaries by prompting them to seek new and sustainable solutions, such as employment or alternative income sources.
Possible Alternatives
In light of this crisis, Aoun advocates for supporting affected families through economic empowerment programs that enable self-sufficiency, such as cash-for-work initiatives and vocational training.
She emphasized that reliance on food assistance cannot continue indefinitely due to limited funding, stressing the need to seek sustainable solutions.
Barran’s Conclusion
As the war in Yemen persists and the humanitarian crisis deepens, the standards used for food aid distribution, while crucial for ensuring support reaches those most in need, have left many impoverished families without lifesaving assistance.
Stories from individuals like Manal and Zainab illustrate the profound suffering experienced by thousands of Yemeni families affected by the conflict. There is an urgent need to reevaluate the criteria for aid distribution and to provide sustainable alternatives to support these families.
The international community and humanitarian organizations must continue to advocate for increased funding and expanded aid efforts to prevent affected families from remaining trapped in a cycle of poverty and hunger. In the end, the most vulnerable should not bear the burden of strict standards and limited funding in this decade-long conflict.