The World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Sunday that it has made progress with the Houthis toward introducing a biometric registration system–which would enable cash transfer–in Sana’a, weeks after threatening to limit aid work in Houthi-controlled areas at a gathering of UN and other humanitarian leaders in Brussels. 

The UN food agency announced on Sunday, in coordination with the Houthi-run Supreme Council for the Management and Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (SCMCHA), that the use of fingerprint technology for cash transfers could be underway in three districts of the capital if the Houthis resolve outstanding issues standing in the way of a final agreement.  

“A final agreement has not been reached on some conditions being imposed by the SCMCHA. The pilot phase can only be launched once these outstanding issues are resolved,” the statement said, adding that “WFP will begin cash transfers to eligible families only when the agency has biometric verification in place to ensure assistance is reaching the intended beneficiaries.” 

Last summer, WFP temporarily suspended aid in the capital, after the Houthis resisted the UN agency’s plans to implement the biometric verification system that would make it more difficult for the group to divert or steal the cash transfers. 

In an apparent attempt to exert public pressure on the UN agency before a deal has been reached, Houthi leader Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi said Sunday on Twitter that WFP could begin distributing cash aid in the capital this week.

"God willing, WFP will start cash aid disbursement in the secretariat this week, and we hope to cover all those in need in the Republic of Yemen," he said in a tweet.