Houthi militia tightens the siege on Taiz by blocking baby formula and medical supplies amid warnings of worsening humanitarian crisis.

Houthi Militias Intensify Siege on Taiz by Banning Baby Formula and Medical Supplies

Local sources report that Houthi militias have escalated their siege on Taiz Governorate by prohibiting the entry of powdered baby formula, medical supplies, and essential goods into the region. This action threatens to worsen the humanitarian and living conditions for the local population.

Restrictions on Essential Items

The sources indicate that the new Houthi measures include a ban on baby formula, diapers, and other child-specific necessities. This ban endangers thousands of families and directly impacts infants and young children in Taiz, the most densely populated governorate in Yemen.

Furthermore, the militias have expanded the list of prohibited items to include basic food and consumer goods, such as certain vegetables, fruits, and essential food items that residents rely on daily. These actions are described as punitive measures against the people of Taiz.

Warning from the World Food Programme

In conjunction with the tightening of the siege, the World Food Programme (WFP) has warned about the ongoing severe deterioration of food security in areas under the control of the legitimate government. The WFP highlighted that Taiz has recorded some of the highest rates of hunger and food deprivation in the country.

The organization confirmed a noticeable increase in the percentage of families experiencing inadequate food consumption in Taiz, amid escalating conflict, market disruptions, and ongoing restrictions on the movement of goods.

Alarming Hunger Indicators

The WFP also noted that family hunger indicators show Taiz has the highest hunger rates among the governorates. A significant number of families suffer from acute food shortages, with some forced to reduce meal portions or go long periods without food.

The UN agency cautioned that the continuation of the siege and restrictions on goods movement, combined with declining purchasing power and the depletion of families’ coping mechanisms, signals further humanitarian deterioration. This situation threatens the food security of hundreds of thousands of civilians in the governorate.

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