Mariam Msah, January 8, 2026

The United States has temporarily stopped all assistance programs that directly benefit Somalia’s federal government following serious allegations involving the misuse of humanitarian aid. According to the U.S. State Department, the decision was made after reports claimed that Somali officials were involved in the destruction of a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse and the seizure of food supplies meant for civilians facing hunger.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the State Department said the pause was triggered by what it described as “unacceptable actions” linked to a U.S.-funded WFP facility in Somalia. The alleged incident reportedly involved the destruction of the warehouse and the confiscation of around 76 metric tons of food aid. This food had been donated by international partners and was intended to help some of Somalia’s most vulnerable people.

U.S. officials stressed that the move reflects a strict policy against any form of misuse of humanitarian assistance. The department said the Trump administration has a zero-tolerance approach toward waste, theft, or diversion of life-saving aid. As a result, all ongoing U.S. assistance programs that benefit Somalia’s federal government have been halted until further notice.

The State Department made it clear that the suspension is not necessarily permanent. However, any decision to resume assistance will depend on actions taken by Somali authorities. U.S. officials said Somalia’s government would need to take responsibility for the alleged incident and put in place clear corrective measures to prevent similar situations in the future. No timeline was provided for when aid might resume, and the department did not name the officials allegedly involved or specify when the incident occurred. The claims have also not yet been independently verified.

The World Food Programme, which plays a major role in delivering emergency food aid in Somalia, expressed concern about the situation. A WFP spokesperson said the warehouse in question was a key part of emergency response efforts, especially at a time when food insecurity in the country is extremely high. Nearly a quarter of Somalia’s population, estimated at about 4.4 million people, is currently facing crisis-level hunger or worse.

The spokesperson added that WFP is actively engaging with Somali authorities to ensure that food supplies are stored safely and protected from interference. Despite the challenges, the agency said it remains committed to delivering assistance to communities in need and working to prevent disruptions to humanitarian operations.

It remains unclear how much U.S. funding will be affected by the pause or how long it will last. The State Department did not provide further details when asked, leaving aid organizations and observers uncertain about the broader impact on humanitarian programs in the country.

The decision comes at a time when U.S. foreign aid is facing increased scrutiny under President Donald Trump’s administration. The government has moved to reduce foreign assistance spending and tighten oversight to ensure funds are used as intended. Somalia has been among the countries receiving significant U.S. support, largely due to ongoing humanitarian needs caused by conflict, drought, and economic hardship.

In the final year of former President Joe Biden’s administration, the United States provided approximately $770 million in assistance for projects in Somalia. U.S. officials noted, however, that only a small portion of that funding was given directly to the Somali federal government, with most of the aid channeled through international organizations and non-governmental partners.

The aid pause also comes amid heightened political attention on Somalia-related issues in the United States, including public criticism of Somali immigrants following high-profile fraud allegations linked to child-care programs in Minnesota. While those issues are separate, they have contributed to a broader climate of scrutiny around oversight, accountability, and the use of public funds.

For now, the suspension underscores growing concerns within the U.S. government about protecting humanitarian aid and ensuring it reaches the people it is meant to help, while placing pressure on Somali authorities to address the allegations and restore trust.