The United States has halted all assistance to Somalia’s federal government after alleging that Somali officials destroyed a World Food Programme warehouse and seized 76 metric tons of food aid funded by the U.S. and other donors. The suspension, announced by the State Department on January 7, 2026, reflects the Trump administration’s stated policy of zero tolerance for the diversion of humanitarian supplies.
U.S. officials said the seized food was meant for vulnerable civilians facing hardship in Somalia, one of the world’s poorest countries. The action comes amid broader tensions between the Trump administration and Somali communities and migrants, as well as significant cuts to U.S. foreign aid.
US Suspends Aid After Accusations of Misuse
The U.S. State Department declared that it has paused all ongoing assistance programs benefiting the Somali federal government until authorities in Mogadishu take accountability for the alleged destruction and seizure of food aid. According to U.S. officials, the alleged incident involved the demolition of a warehouse belonging to the World Food Programme, which stored vital food supplies. The Trump administration emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, and diversion of life-saving assistance.
Officials noted that any resumption of support will be contingent on corrective action by the Somali government. It remains unclear how much of the overall U.S. assistance will be affected, as foreign aid budgets have already been reduced and the U.S. Agency for International Development has been dismantled under the current administration.
Details of the Allegations
According to U.S. sources, Somali authorities at Mogadishu Port carried out the warehouse demolition and seized the food supplies without notifying or coordinating with international donors, including the United States. The warehouse belonged to the United Nations World Food Programme and contained food intended to help civilians in need.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and Somali officials have not publicly responded to the claims. The seized aid — totaling roughly 76 metric tons — represents supplies meant to support those facing acute hunger and hardship.
Broader Context of U.S.–Somalia Relations
The move to suspend aid is occurring against a backdrop of strained relations between the U.S. and Somali communities, both abroad and within Somalia. The Trump administration has intensified criticism of Somali refugees and migrants, notably amid widely reported fraud allegations in Minnesota, and has implemented stricter immigration policies affecting Somalis.
During the final year of the Biden administration, the U.S. provided about $770 million in assistance for projects in Somalia, although only a small share of that support went directly to the Somali government. The scope of current and future assistance remains uncertain as the administration reviews which programs directly benefit the federal government and could be paused, redirected, or terminated.
Somalia’s Ongoing Challenges
Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa, continues to face chronic political instability, repeated natural disasters, and widespread food insecurity. Humanitarian aid plays a critical role in supporting vulnerable populations. The World Food Programme has described its warehouses and supply chains as essential to emergency operations in the region.
The suspension of U.S. assistance amid allegations of aid diversion highlights the ongoing challenges of aid delivery, humanitarian oversight, and international cooperation in crisis-affected nations like Somalia.
