The Federal Government of Somalia has confirmed that all humanitarian commodities removed from a warehouse affected by expansion works at the Port of Mogadishu have been fully returned to the World Food Programme (WFP).
In an official statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government took full responsibility for the incident and expressed regret over the disruption. Authorities said the clarification underscores Somalia’s commitment to humanitarian principles and continued cooperation with international partners.
To ensure the secure and uninterrupted delivery of aid, the government has allocated a larger and more suitable warehouse for WFP within the port area. Officials said the new facility will improve storage capacity and support more efficient distribution of humanitarian supplies to vulnerable communities.
The government acknowledged the need to strengthen coordination and information-sharing with donors and aid agencies, noting that it will review the circumstances surrounding the incident and introduce measures to prevent similar issues in the future. It emphasized that communication with WFP on operational and logistical matters has been longstanding and constructive, while recognizing the importance of further improvements.
The clarification follows criticism from the United States, which said it would pause certain forms of assistance benefiting the Somali government after raising concerns over the handling of a donor-funded WFP warehouse during port expansion activities.
Somali authorities reiterated that resolving the matter is essential to maintaining trust with partners. The Foreign Ministry reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to transparency and accountability, describing its partnership with WFP, the United States, and the broader donor community as vital to addressing food insecurity across the country.
