The United States has suspended all aid to Somalia, citing claims that Somali officials destroyed a UN World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse and seized 76 tonnes of donor-funded food aid meant for vulnerable citizens.
A US State Department statement emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, or diversion of life-saving aid, and said assistance will resume only if Somalia takes accountability and corrective measures.
Somalia denies wrongdoing, stating the warehouse demolition at Mogadishu port did not affect aid storage and that all humanitarian aid remains under WFP control. A WFP staff member confirmed there was no looting, only partial demolition.
The US is the largest contributor to the WFP, providing $2 billion in 2025, roughly a third of its total funding.
Somalia continues to face security challenges from al-Qaeda-linked militants, while the country also deals with drought, floods, high food prices, and a hunger crisis affecting over 4.6 million people.
This suspension adds to strained relations between Washington and Mogadishu, following Trump’s previous criticism of Somali migrants and US recognition of Somaliland.
