On Tuesday, humanitarian groups in Somalia were left uncertain after sudden changes to U.S. emergency food aid policies. While some cuts were reversed, many organizations and aid recipients still face confusion and fear over what happens next.
Aid Cuts Reversed—But Not for Everyone
On Wednesday, U.S. officials confirmed that the Biden administration had reversed some of the major cuts made earlier to emergency food aid programs. These programs were helping millions in countries facing hunger and conflict. However, cuts are still in place for Afghanistan and Yemen—two of the poorest and most unstable countries in the world.
The original cuts had been ordered as part of a foreign aid reduction effort led by the Department of Government Efficiency. That department is currently under the leadership of billionaire Elon Musk’s associate, Jeremy Lewin.
Two United Nations officials said the U.S. informed the World Food Program (WFP) of the reversal on Tuesday. They asked to remain anonymous because they were not allowed to speak to the media.
Impact on Somalia: Fear, Hunger, and Confusion
The WFP’s Somalia office had warned earlier this week that U.S. cuts would cause major harm. According to their post on X (formerly Twitter), the U.S. provides 90% of the WFP’s emergency food aid in Somalia. If the cuts had continued, over 620,000 people could have lost access to food by next month.
“The people who suffer most are mothers, nursing women, and children. They depend on this aid to survive,” said Mohamed Elmi Afrah, a humanitarian worker and political analyst in Mogadishu.
The situation is serious. More than 6 million Somalis currently face acute food insecurity, according to United Nations data. Drought, floods, and ongoing conflict have all worsened the hunger crisis, especially in rural areas and displacement camps.
Contractors Left in the Dark
Mustafa Diriye, a logistics manager at Lusidle Petroleum and Logistics LTD, said the aid cuts came out of nowhere. His company works with the WFP in Somalia.
“It was shocking. The effects were immediate for us. People lost work overnight,” Diriye said.
He also mentioned that many local companies and workers who support food delivery across Somalia now face uncertain futures.
A Political Tug of War Over Foreign Aid
The U.S. has been the largest donor to the World Food Program. In 2024 alone, it gave $4.5 billion—nearly half of the WFP’s total $9.8 billion in funding.
Past U.S. administrations viewed foreign aid as a way to fight poverty, reduce conflict, and prevent mass migration. But the Trump administration has taken a different stance. It has accused USAID—the agency in charge of development aid—of pushing liberal policies abroad. Some officials have called foreign aid a waste of taxpayer money.
“USAID was asked to cancel several contracts last weekend,” said a U.S. official. “But after media reports exposed the issue, some of those contracts were restored.”
Jeremy Lewin, the official responsible for restructuring USAID under the new policies, reportedly ordered the reversal after the Associated Press highlighted the cuts.
What’s Next for Somalia?
Even though some of the aid is back, it’s unclear how much of it will return or when. Humanitarian groups are calling for clarity and consistency from U.S. officials.
On Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce admitted that some aid program cuts were mistakes. She confirmed that some funding was reinstated but gave no other details.
Somali aid workers warn that delays can still cause deep harm.
“Even a few weeks without aid can put thousands of lives at risk,” said Afrah.
The Bigger Picture: A Nation on the Brink
Somalia has faced nearly three decades of crisis. Years of civil war, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and poverty have pushed millions to the edge. With over 6 million facing food shortages, any disruption in aid can lead to deadly outcomes.
The situation is especially urgent in places like Baidoa and Beledweyne, where many families have already lost their homes due to floods and drought.
The World Food Program continues to appeal for global support. They say that without strong and steady backing from donors like the U.S., their ability to save lives will be severely limited.
