The United States has suspended all assistance to Somalia, citing allegations that Somali government officials destroyed a United Nations World Food Programme warehouse and seized donor-funded food aid. According to the US State Department, reports indicated that 76 tonnes of food intended for vulnerable Somali communities had been illegally seized, prompting immediate action under the administration’s zero-tolerance policy for the diversion, theft, or waste of life-saving aid.
The announcement, posted on the social media account of the Under Secretary for Foreign Assistance, emphasized the US commitment to ensuring that humanitarian resources reach those in need and are not misappropriated.
Somali authorities have denied the allegations, stating that ongoing expansion work at the Mogadishu port, where the warehouse is located, did not affect any stored aid. The suspension of assistance raises concerns about the delivery of humanitarian support to vulnerable populations at a time when food security in Somalia remains fragile.
