WFP Statement on arbitrary detention of aid workers in Yemen

ROME – Recent escalations by the Houthi de facto authorities are intolerable. The arbitrary detention of WFP and United Nations staff members, forced entry into UN offices, destruction and seizure of property, and coerced actions against national staff are unacceptable and have severely compromised the ability of WFP and other UN and humanitarian organizations to reach vulnerable communities in northern Yemen.

WFP joins the Secretary-General and all humanitarian partners in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all 44 aid workers currently under arbitrary detention by the Houthi de facto authorities, including 21 WFP staff. Since 31 August 2025 alone, 21 UN staff have been arbitrarily detained, adding to the 23 staff and former staff from international NGOs who were already detained. The safety and protection of humanitarian personnel, premises, and the independence of aid operations must be ensured in accordance with international humanitarian law.

For nearly 60 years, WFP has supported the people of Yemen through some of the country’s most challenging moments - conflict, displacement, and severe hunger – pushing back famine and delivering life-saving assistance to millions with the dedicated support of donors.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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