<p>The United States must cancel its decision to classify Yemen's Huthi rebels as "terrorists" to avoid the risk of a famine not seen for decades, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council on Thursday.</p>.<p>"What is the likely humanitarian impact? The answer is a large-scale famine on a scale that we have not seen for nearly 40 years," said Mark Lowcock, the UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs.</p>.<p>He said exemptions to allow aid agencies to deliver supplies, as suggested by Washington, would not be sufficient to avoid a famine, adding "what would prevent it? A reversal of the decision."</p>.<p>The terrorist classification has drawn criticism from aid groups over fears it will exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis in war-ravaged Yemen.</p>.<p>Outgoing US President Donald Trump's administration announced the last-ditch move on Sunday with just days to go before his successor Joe Biden takes over.</p>.<p>The designation is set to come into force on January 19 -- the eve of the inauguration of Biden, whose aides had hoped to mount a fresh push to end Yemen's six-year war.</p>.<p>It has also been seen as complicating the incoming US leader's promised efforts to restart diplomacy with Iran, which has links to the Huthis.</p>.<p>The rebels control much of Yemen and have faced a bloody offensive from US-ally Saudi Arabia, with millions in the country depending on relief to survive.</p>.<p>A designation as a terrorist group is expected to halt many transactions with Huthi authorities, including bank transfers and for food and fuel, amid fears of US prosecution.</p>.<p>Aid groups have said that they have no option but to deal with what is the de facto government in northern Yemen.</p>.<p>The UN envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, said he backed Lowcock's stance that the US decision "would contribute to famine in Yemen and thus should be revoked."</p>.<p>"We fear that there will be inevitably a chilling effect on my efforts to bring the parties together," added Griffiths, who has regular contact with the Huthis.</p>.<p>It was the first time that the UN, usually cautious with its largest financial contributor, has so clearly criticized a decision by the outgoing US administration.</p>.<p>About 16 million people will go hungry this year in Yemen, the UN predicts.</p>.<p>David Beasley, head of the World Food Program, discarded his prepared speech to warn of a "catastrophic" famine.</p>
<p>The United States must cancel its decision to classify Yemen's Huthi rebels as "terrorists" to avoid the risk of a famine not seen for decades, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council on Thursday.</p>.<p>"What is the likely humanitarian impact? The answer is a large-scale famine on a scale that we have not seen for nearly 40 years," said Mark Lowcock, the UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs.</p>.<p>He said exemptions to allow aid agencies to deliver supplies, as suggested by Washington, would not be sufficient to avoid a famine, adding "what would prevent it? A reversal of the decision."</p>.<p>The terrorist classification has drawn criticism from aid groups over fears it will exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis in war-ravaged Yemen.</p>.<p>Outgoing US President Donald Trump's administration announced the last-ditch move on Sunday with just days to go before his successor Joe Biden takes over.</p>.<p>The designation is set to come into force on January 19 -- the eve of the inauguration of Biden, whose aides had hoped to mount a fresh push to end Yemen's six-year war.</p>.<p>It has also been seen as complicating the incoming US leader's promised efforts to restart diplomacy with Iran, which has links to the Huthis.</p>.<p>The rebels control much of Yemen and have faced a bloody offensive from US-ally Saudi Arabia, with millions in the country depending on relief to survive.</p>.<p>A designation as a terrorist group is expected to halt many transactions with Huthi authorities, including bank transfers and for food and fuel, amid fears of US prosecution.</p>.<p>Aid groups have said that they have no option but to deal with what is the de facto government in northern Yemen.</p>.<p>The UN envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, said he backed Lowcock's stance that the US decision "would contribute to famine in Yemen and thus should be revoked."</p>.<p>"We fear that there will be inevitably a chilling effect on my efforts to bring the parties together," added Griffiths, who has regular contact with the Huthis.</p>.<p>It was the first time that the UN, usually cautious with its largest financial contributor, has so clearly criticized a decision by the outgoing US administration.</p>.<p>About 16 million people will go hungry this year in Yemen, the UN predicts.</p>.<p>David Beasley, head of the World Food Program, discarded his prepared speech to warn of a "catastrophic" famine.</p>