The US has halted all assistance to Somalia, accusing government officials of destroying a UN World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse and seizing donor-funded food aid.
A State Department statement on X said, “The Trump administration has a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, and diversion of life-saving assistance.”
Officials reported that Somali authorities allegedly took 76 tonnes of food intended for vulnerable citizens.
Somalia Denies Allegations
The Somali government denied the claims, saying ongoing expansion work at the Mogadishu port warehouse had not affected any humanitarian aid. It stressed that all aid remained under the control of the WFP, including US-funded assistance.
A WFP staffer in Mogadishu, speaking anonymously, confirmed that no aid had been stolen. They said the warehouse was partially demolished over the weekend without WFP knowledge, but there was no looting.
Conditions for Resuming Assistance
The US said it would resume aid only if Somalia took “accountability for its unacceptable actions and appropriate remedial steps.”
Despite withdrawing from several UN organisations, the US remains the WFP’s largest donor, contributing $2 billion in 2025 about a third of total funding.
Context: Somalia’s Struggles
Somalia faces ongoing challenges from al-Qaeda-linked militants and is rebuilding after civil war and prolonged drought.
Relations with Washington have recently worsened. Last month, Trump criticized Somali migrants in the US, saying they should “go back to where they came from” and claimed “their country is no good for a reason.”
US immigration raids have targeted Somali communities amid allegations of large-scale benefit fraud in Minnesota. Meanwhile, Somalia condemned Israel’s recognition of the breakaway Somaliland republic, further straining ties.
Humanitarian Impact
The seized aid was meant to help people cope with drought, floods, conflict, high food prices, and poor harvests. The WFP estimates 4.6 million people in Somalia are facing crisis-level hunger.
