The UN says food aid is being diverted by some corrupt and uncooperative officials in Houthi-held areas of Yemen, where millions of people are believed to be on the verge of famine.
David Beasley, head of the World Food Programme (WFP), told the BBC the agency’s efforts to reach people in need were being repeatedly blocked.
He said he hoped “good Houthi leaders” would prevail over the corrupt ones.
On Monday, the agency warned of a possible suspension of aid delivery.
Yemen is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world currently and some 12 million people – almost 40% of the population – are on the brink of starvation, according to Mr Beasley. Most of those most in need are in Houthi-controlled areas.
Mr Beasley said that his unusual public criticism could backfire, with Houthi leaders providing even less access to humanitarian workers, but that children were dying as a result of this “desperate, desperate situation”.
“This violates the most fundamental international standards of humanitarian principles because innocent people are suffering from food diversion, theft, corruption,” said Mr Beasley, who last year criticised the Saudi-led coalition for a blockade stopping vital assistance from reaching
Yemen.
“I know all the Houthis and the Houthi leaders aren’t like that. There are good Houthi leaders and I hope they can prevail.”
On Monday, the WEP said its teams were being denied access to people in need, convoys had been blocked and local officials were interfering with food distribution, warning of a phased suspension of aid.
