The United States has stopped all assistance to the Somali government following serious accusations of misuse of humanitarian aid meant for hungry and vulnerable people.
According to the US State Department, Somali officials are accused of destroying a warehouse belonging to the United Nations World Food Programme and illegally taking food aid provided by donors. The report says about 76 tonnes of food meant to save lives were taken unlawfully. This food was supposed to reach families facing hunger, especially women, children, and displaced people.
In a statement shared on X, the Trump administration said it has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to waste, theft, or diversion of aid. US officials made it clear that American support will not resume unless the Somali government takes full responsibility for what happened and puts strong measures in place to prevent such actions in the future.
Somalia has been struggling for decades with conflict, weak governance, and poverty. The country has faced a long civil war, the presence of armed groups, and frequent attacks that have made normal life difficult for millions of people. On top of this, droughts and floods have pushed many families into hunger, making foreign aid a major source of survival for large parts of the population.
International partners, including the United States, have supported Somalia with food aid, security assistance, and development programmes. Any suspension of this support comes as a heavy blow, especially at a time when many Somalis depend on humanitarian help to survive.
The US decision reflects growing frustration among donors about corruption and lack of accountability in Somalia. Aid agencies have repeatedly warned that stolen or diverted assistance does not only harm trust but also costs lives. When food meant for the poor is misused, the people who suffer most are ordinary citizens with no power or protection.
Washington has said clearly that help can return only if Somali authorities show seriousness by investigating the matter, holding those responsible accountable, and protecting future aid.
While relations between the US and Somalia remain tense, there are very few Americans of Somali descent who openly challenge former President Donald Trump’s policies. One of the most well-known is Ilhan Omar, a US lawmaker of Somali origin. She is known for speaking about Trump’s policies on immigration, as well as about the humanitarian aid that should go to countries in need, such as Somalia. However, examples such as hers are few, and the object of relief remains instead the policy decisions of the US government.
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For now, the suspension of US assistance adds to Somalia’s many challenges, raising fears about how the country’s most vulnerable people will cope in the coming months.
