The Minister of Information stated that Houthi militias have turned humanitarian aid into a funding source for their war and enrichment for their leaders.

Houthi Militias Exploit Humanitarian Aid, Warns Yemeni Minister

Minister’s Statement on Humanitarian Crisis

Yemeni Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Muammar Al-Eryani, has accused the Iranian-backed Houthi militias of transforming international humanitarian aid into a significant funding source for their war efforts. He cautioned that the international community’s continued inaction exacerbates the humanitarian disaster in Yemen and prolongs the conflict.

Control Over Humanitarian Efforts

In a recent press statement, Al-Eryani highlighted that the Houthis have not only destroyed state institutions and looted economic resources but have also seized control of humanitarian operations in areas under their influence. They have imposed strict control over United Nations organizations and relief agencies, turning humanitarian aid into tools for recruitment and financing.

Massive Aid Misappropriation

Al-Eryani revealed that Yemen has received over $23 billion in international humanitarian aid since 2015, with approximately 75% allocated to Houthi-controlled regions. Instead of reaching millions of impoverished and sick individuals, the Houthis have reportedly looted and exploited these funds to finance military operations and enrich their leaders.

Manipulation of Humanitarian Coordination

The minister noted that the Houthis established the “Supreme Council for the Management and Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and International Cooperation” (SCMCHA), linking it to their security apparatus. This council has become a tool for extortion and control over UN programs, as no humanitarian activity can proceed without its approval.

Restrictions on International Organizations

Al-Eryani further explained that the Houthis have imposed hundreds of affiliated organizations as partners for international agencies, restricting the movement of international organizations. They have forced these organizations to work with suppliers and companies linked to the Houthis, allowing their networks to dominate supply chains and contracts.

UN Reports on Houthi Interference

According to a 2019 report by the UN Expert Panel, the Houthis do not respect the independence of humanitarian work. They systematically obstruct organizations, pressure them to hire loyalists, and even assault staff members while denying visas. This behavior aims to assert their dominance over all aspects of humanitarian operations.

Diverse Forms of Looting

Al-Eryani outlined various looting methods employed by the Houthis, including direct seizure of food and medicine for sale in markets, manipulating beneficiary lists, and redirecting support to families of their fighters. They have also forged cash support programs, imposed a 2% tax on aid under the pretext of operational expenses, and rerouted aid to the port of Hodeidah instead of Aden.

Significant Aid Losses

Reports indicate that around 60% of aid does not reach its intended recipients in Houthi-controlled areas. The World Food Program reported significant quantities of aid went missing in 2019. Additionally, a report by the “Regain Yemen” initiative revealed that over $13.5 billion in aid directed to Houthi areas saw more than 80% misappropriated.

Exorbitant Salaries for Houthi Officials

International reports have disclosed that UN agencies paid salaries as high as $10,000 monthly to the head of SCMCHA and his deputy. They also funded administrative expenses, including $1 million every three months from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and $200,000 from the International Organization for Migration.

Front Organizations for Aid Theft

Al-Eryani emphasized that the Houthis rely on front organizations to siphon off aid, including the “Bonyan Development Foundation,” linked to leader Mohammed Al-Madani, and the “Yemen Stability Foundation,” associated with Fawaz Al-Hamid. The “Yemeni Center for Human Rights,” connected to Ismail Al-Mutawakkil, and “Arkane Al-Nahda,” which secured over half a million dollars in aid distribution contracts in Hodeidah, also play roles in this scheme.

Impact on Humanitarian Crisis

These actions have intensified the humanitarian crisis, undermined donor trust, and reduced international funding for Yemen, further worsening the plight of millions, especially the displaced and hungry. The Houthis have exploited their suffering to finance their war and destructive projects.

Call for International Action

Al-Eryani urged the international community and UN agencies to end their “willful blindness” and reassess humanitarian operations in Yemen. He called for purging distribution chains of Houthi influence and implementing transparent field oversight. He characterized the militia’s actions as “organized looting,” equating it to organized crime.

Conclusion: A Mafia-like Economy

In conclusion, Al-Eryani pointed out that the issue of humanitarian aid theft reveals a mafia-like economy run by the Houthis outside state institutions, based on looting and exploitation. He warned that peace in Yemen will remain elusive as long as this war economy persists, urging accountability for those involved in aid misappropriation.

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