Deputy Minister of Planning Discusses with the World Food Programme Ways to Bridge the Funding Gap and Strengthen Food Security Programmes

[05/04/2026 01:33]
Aden - Saba

The Deputy Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr Nizar Basheeb, met today in the temporary capital, Aden, with the new Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Yemen, Dr El Khadir Daloum, to discuss areas of joint cooperation and ways to bridge the funding gap, with a view to strengthening the humanitarian response in the field of food security.

The meeting addressed mechanisms to address the existing gap between funding shortfalls and the expanding lists of beneficiaries of food security and nutrition programmes, as well as appropriate solutions for groups excluded from nutrition projects through other programmes and initiatives. It also discussed the size of the food baskets provided and their compliance with international standards in terms of calorie content.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of strengthening donor mobilisation efforts to increase funding and support nutritional intervention projects, including the establishment of a nutritional supplement factory to address cases of malnutrition, particularly among children and women.

The Deputy Minister of Planning and International Cooperation expressed the Yemeni government’s appreciation for the efforts made by the World Food Programme to alleviate the humanitarian crisis despite the existing funding challenges, praising the vital role the Programme plays in supporting the most vulnerable groups.

Dr Basheeb called on the World Food Programme to redouble its efforts to expand the scope of humanitarian coverage, work to improve the quality of food aid in line with international standards, and ensure it reaches those entitled to it transparently, in addition to strengthening coordination with relevant government bodies, thereby contributing to the integration of programme and project implementation. He emphasised the importance of adopting sustainable solutions that help reduce reliance on emergency aid by supporting livelihoods and enhancing long-term food security.

For his part, the Country Director of the World Food Programme praised the support and cooperation provided by the Yemeni government, noting that the programme operates in accordance with a strategy aligned with the Yemeni government’s priorities for 2026.

Dr Al-Khadir Daloum emphasised the Programme’s commitment to continuing to mobilise resources and funding from international partners to expand the scope of humanitarian interventions and improve the quality of services provided, thereby helping to alleviate the suffering of citizens and strengthen the response to growing humanitarian needs across the various governorates.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)