Washington (Kaab TV) — CThe United States has suspended all assistance programs benefiting Somalia’s federal government following allegations that Somali officials destroyed a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse and confiscated food aid intended for civilians, the State Department said Wednesday.
In a statement, the department said the suspension followed reports of what it described as “unacceptable actions” involving a U.S.-funded WFP facility. According to U.S. officials, the incident allegedly involved the demolition of the warehouse and the seizure of approximately 76 metric tons of donor-funded food assistance meant for vulnerable populations.
“The Trump Administration has a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, and diversion of life-saving assistance,” the State Department said, confirming that all ongoing U.S. assistance programs benefiting the Somali Federal Government have been halted.
The department said aid would only resume if Somali authorities accept responsibility for the alleged actions and implement corrective measures. It did not specify when the incident took place or identify those involved, and the allegations have not been independently verified.
A WFP spokesperson said the warehouse played a critical role in emergency operations at a time when nearly one-quarter of Somalia’s population — an estimated 4.4 million people — is experiencing crisis-level hunger or worse. The spokesperson added that WFP is working with authorities to ensure the safe storage of food supplies and remains committed to delivering aid to vulnerable communities.
It remains unclear how much U.S. assistance will be affected or how long the suspension will last. The State Department did not respond to requests for further details.
The move comes amid broader reductions in U.S. foreign aid under President Donald Trump and increased scrutiny of aid oversight. The administration has also intensified criticism of Somali immigrants in the United States, including in the wake of widely publicized fraud allegations involving child-care programs in Minnesota.
During the final year of former President Joe Biden’s administration, the United States provided approximately $770 million in assistance to Somalia, though U.S. officials said only a small portion of that funding went directly to the Somali government.