U.S. to resume food aid after Somalia acknowledges disruptions to WFP operations
MOGADISHU, Somalia — The United States said it will resume World Food Program (WFP) food distribution in Somalia after the federal government acknowledged its role in disrupting aid operations and confirmed that commodities affected by port expansion in the capital have been returned.
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In a statement, U.S. Foreign Assistance said: “The United States acknowledges the Federal Government of Somalia for taking responsibility for its actions affecting World Food Program (WFP) operations, including U.S.-funded assistance. Following this statement, we will resume WFP food distribution while continuing to review our broader assistance posture in Somalia. The Trump Administration maintains a firm zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, or diversion of U.S. resources.”
Somalia’s Foreign Ministry expressed regret over the episode and said authorities have provided the WFP with a larger, more suitable warehouse within the Mogadishu port area to ensure secure, uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid. The government pledged to strengthen coordination with the U.N. agency and international donors, uphold transparency, and review the circumstances that led to the disruption.
The U.S. decision follows a suspension triggered by allegations that Somali officials destroyed a U.S.-funded WFP warehouse and illegally seized 76 metric tons of food intended for vulnerable communities. Washington had said a resumption would hinge on accountability measures and corrective action by Somali authorities. The return of the affected commodities and provision of new storage facilities were central to those conditions, according to the statements.
While the restart of WFP food distribution eases immediate pressure on aid pipelines, U.S. officials noted they are still reviewing the broader posture of American assistance in Somalia. That scrutiny underscores enduring concerns about safeguarding humanitarian supplies as agencies navigate ongoing insecurity, graft risks, and logistical challenges across the country.
Somalia remains in the grip of a protracted humanitarian emergency driven by years of conflict, climate shocks and recurrent disease outbreaks. The United Nations estimates 4.8 million people will require humanitarian aid in 2026. Humanitarian planners say the slight decline from 2025 reflects stricter assessment criteria rather than a significant improvement in conditions on the ground.
Earlier this week, Somalia, the U.N. and humanitarian partners launched the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, seeking $852 million to support 2.4 million people in urgent need of lifesaving assistance and protection. Donors and aid agencies say restoring WFP distributions in a timely manner will be critical to meeting those targets, particularly in hard-to-reach and drought-affected areas where food insecurity remains acute.
Humanitarian workers say accountability and strong logistics—secure warehousing, predictable access and close coordination with authorities—are indispensable to preventing aid diversion and ensuring food reaches families most at risk. The government’s commitment to enhanced cooperation with the WFP will be tested in coming months as deliveries scale up and the response plan moves into implementation.
For now, the U.S. resumption gives a needed boost to Somalia’s food assistance pipeline, even as a broader review of aid engagement continues. What happens next will depend on sustained adherence to safeguards, transparent handling of commodities, and the operational space afforded to relief agencies working to prevent a slide into deeper hunger.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
