The US has suspended all assistance to the government of Somalia, alleging that officials destroyed a UN World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse and seized donor-funded food aid. The Trump administration has a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, and diversion of life-saving assistance, said a US State Department statement. Reports had surfaced about officials illegally seizing 76 tonnes of food intended for vulnerable Somalis. The US emphasized that any resumption of assistance would depend on Somalia taking accountability for its actions and implementing appropriate remedies. While the US remains a major donor to the WFP, contributing nearly $2 billion in 2025, relations between Washington and Mogadishu have been strained. The Somali government, which faces challenges from militant groups and internal strife, has not publicly commented on the suspension. The latest allegations of food aid mismanagement come as Somalia battles ongoing drought and high food prices, with an estimated 4.6 million people in Somalia facing crisis levels of hunger.
US Suspends Aid to Somalia Amid Food Aid Seizure Allegations
US Suspends Aid to Somalia Amid Food Aid Seizure Allegations
The United States has halted all assistance to Somalia, claiming Somali officials destroyed a food warehouse and illegally seized aid intended for vulnerable populations.
In a significant move, the US has suspended all assistance to the Somali government, citing incidents where officials allegedly destroyed a UN food warehouse and misappropriated donor-funded food aid. A State Department statement emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for the mismanagement of critical resources meant for vulnerable Somali citizens. The Somali government has not yet responded to the allegations amid increasing tensions in US-Somalia relations.
