Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 22nd July. World Food Programme on Friday said that a long-serving staffer with the agency has been shot and killed in Yemen.
WFP released a statement saying that Moayad Hameidi, a Jordanian national, was working in Turbah southwest of Yemen came under fire and the identity of the assailants is not yet known.
The agency expressed deep sadness at the news, noting that he had only recently arrived in Yemen to assume a new job as head of the agency’s office in Taiz.
The Saudi-led coalition supporting the internationally-recognized Government has been fighting for control of the country with Houthi militia, who control the capital and much of northern Yemen since 2015.
Taiz is the third largest city and has been under siege by Houthi rebels for around seven years, creating a blockade for essential goods and humanitarian supplies for the city’s residents.
The UN estimated 17 million people are food insecure across Yemen, with projections showing that by the end of this year the number suffering high levels of acute food insecurity could rise to 3.9 million as thousands of civilians have died during the conflict.
Food assistance from WFP is crucial to avoid potential famine and a lingering food security crisis.
WFP described Mr. Hameidi who had worked for WFP for 18 years as a “dedicated humanitarian”.
He had served in Yemen, and Sudan, Syria, and Iraq.
WFP Representative and Country Director in Yemen Richard Ragan said “The loss of our colleague is a profound tragedy for our organization and the humanitarian community,”
He added “Any loss of life in humanitarian service is an unacceptable tragedy.”
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