US suspends support to Somalia after 76 tonnes of food aid go missing
The United States has suspended all assistance programs benefiting Somalia’s federal government after reports that officials seized and destroyed a warehouse containing 76 metric tonnes of humanitarian food aid meant for vulnerable communities.
In a statement, the US government said it was “deeply concerned” by allegations that Somali authorities demolished a US-funded World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse at Mogadishu port and illegally took food supplies intended for malnourished women and children. Washington said it operates a “zero-tolerance policy” toward the theft, diversion or misuse of life-saving aid.
The State Department said all ongoing US assistance to the Somali federal government has been paused, warning that support will only resume if Somali authorities take accountability and implement corrective measures.
“The State Department has paused all ongoing U.S. assistance programs which benefit the Somali Federal Government. Any resumption of assistance will be dependent upon the Somali Federal Government taking accountability for its unacceptable actions and taking appropriate remedial steps,” an official post read.
The World Food Programme confirmed that the warehouse had been demolished by port authorities and said it contained specialised nutritious food for pregnant and breastfeeding women, girls and young children. A WFP spokesperson further warned that the facility was critical to emergency operations at a time when nearly a quarter of Somalia’s population, about 4.4 million people, is facing crisis levels of hunger or worse.
WFP said it is engaging Somali authorities and partners to address the situation.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
