The U.S. State Department plans to permanently end foreign assistance to Somalia after Somali authorities demolished a World Food Programme warehouse in Mogadishu that stored 76 metric tons of U.S.-donated food. The demolition, reportedly ordered by Somalia’s leadership without notifying donor nations, likely destroyed the food supplies and violated UN protocols.

U.S. officials cited corruption concerns and paused all aid to Somalia’s federal government on January 7, with the pause expected to become permanent by May. Allegations from Somali lawmakers claim widespread diversion and resale of international food aid, cost inflation, and misuse of humanitarian funds, raising serious concerns about accountability and donor trust.

By diverting aid intended for between 8,000 and 12,000 families, Abib said the network generates roughly $500,000 per month. He also alleged widespread cost inflation, citing cases where ambulances and fire trucks costing $100,000 were billed to donors at $300,000.