WFP Warns of Impending Halt to Somalia Food Aid Amid Critical Funding Shortfall
The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) issued a stark warning on Friday, February 20, 2026, stating that its humanitarian assistance in Somalia will cease entirely by April unless new funding is secured immediately.
The Rome-based agency revealed that severe budget constraints have already forced a drastic reduction in its operations, with the number of people receiving emergency food aid plummeting from 2.2 million in early 2025 to just over 600,000 today.
The funding crisis follows a turbulent period for aid in the region. In early January, the United States temporarily suspended assistance to Somalia due to reports of theft and government interference, particularly following the destruction of a U.S.-funded WFP warehouse at the Mogadishu port.
While Washington announced a resumption of food distribution on January 29, UN agencies across the board have reported significant shortfalls since the U.S. began cutting global aid budgets following President Donald Trump’s return to office last year.
Ross Smith, WFP Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response, emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that conditions are deteriorating at an alarming rate.
He warned that many families have already lost their livelihoods and are being pushed to the brink of survival. According to Smith, without urgent emergency food support, the agency will be unable to reach the most vulnerable populations primarily women and children before the situation becomes irreversible.
The humanitarian needs in Somalia remain immense, with approximately 4.4 million people currently facing crisis levels of food insecurity.
The Horn of Africa nation continues to struggle with the combined impact of protracted conflict and the devastating effects of two consecutive failed rainy seasons. As the largest humanitarian agency in the country, the WFP’s potential withdrawal by April represents a decisive and dangerous moment for millions of Somalis depending on international support.
