Mogadishu (Somalia Today) – The United States announced the resumption of World Food Programme (WFP) food distributions in Somalia, ending weeks-long pause triggered by a dispute over US-funded humanitarian commodities.
The move came after the Federal Government of Somalia formally acknowledged responsibility for actions that affected WFP operations, including assistance funded by Washington.
“The United States acknowledges the Federal Government of Somalia for taking responsibility for its actions affecting World Food Programme operations, including U.S.-funded assistance,” the U.S. Foreign Assistance office said in a statement.
“Following this statement, we will resume WFP food distribution while continuing to review our broader assistance posture in Somalia.”
Washington said the Trump administration maintains a “zero tolerance” policy for waste, theft or diversion of US resources, and signalled it continues to review broader assistance even as food distributions restart.
‘Regret’ and restitution
Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it had fully returned to the UN agency the humanitarian commodities that workers removed from a WFP warehouse affected by port expansion.
“The Federal Government of Somalia confirms that the commodities removed from the warehouse affected by port expansion activities, as referenced in recent reports, have been fully returned to the World Food Program (WFP),” the ministry said in a press statement dated January 26.
“The Federal Government takes full responsibility for addressing this unfortunate situation and expresses its regret that it occurred,” it added.
The ministry said the government has provided WFP with a “larger and more suitable warehouse” within the Mogadishu Port area to support improved storage capacity and “efficient distribution.”
It has also pledged to review the circumstances and strengthen coordination with international donors to prevent similar incidents.
The aid dispute erupted after demolition work at the seaport destroyed a WFP facility used for humanitarian operations, disrupting logistics and prompting heightened scrutiny from donors.
Somali officials initially denied diverting aid, arguing that the disruption stemmed from infrastructure work linked to port expansion and that they still intended the commodities for humanitarian use.
The Foreign Ministry said the government remains committed to humanitarian principles, transparency, and accountability, and described its clarification as an important step toward resolving the matter and ensuring continued cooperation with WFP, the United States, and other donors.
Famine fears
Conflict, displacement, and recurring climate shocks are driving acute humanitarian needs in Somalia as distributions resume, repeatedly pushing communities toward crisis-level hunger.
Aid agencies have warned that interruptions to supply chains can quickly deepen vulnerability, particularly for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women who depend on nutritional support.
While food distribution will restart, the US statement said Washington will continue reviewing its broader assistance posture in Somalia, underscoring continued pressure for tighter safeguards over donor-funded resources.
The Mogadishu port — a critical entry point for commercial trade and humanitarian cargo — remains central to both the country’s economic plans and its aid lifeline, leaving authorities and international partners under pressure to prevent development projects from colliding with emergency relief operations.
