Officials stated that to ensure no interruption to current humanitarian activities, a larger and more appropriate warehouse has been provided to the World Food Programme within the port zone, a measure they claimed would enhance storage capabilities and maintain the distribution of food aid to communities experiencing food scarcity throughout Somalia.

Somalia’s federal government has confirmed that a warehouse managed by the World Food Programme at the Port of Mogadishu was demolished as part of a port enhancement initiative.

Somalia further declared that it accepts complete accountability for the incident, while verifying that all humanitarian food supplies removed from the facility have been restored to the organization.

In a communiqué, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that the government had implemented measures to address concerns expressed by contributors and humanitarian partners regarding the management of food aid stored at the port, while emphasizing that Somalia remains dedicated to collaboration with international agencies engaged in humanitarian support.

“All humanitarian items removed from the damaged facility have been completely returned to the World Food Programme,” the ministry stated in its announcement.

It mentioned that the government regretted the occurrence and recognized the necessity to improve coordination and communication with partners involved in aid distribution.

According to the ministry, the warehouse, commonly referred to as the “blue warehouse,” was situated in a zone designated for port expansion and redevelopment, a project that Somali authorities indicate is focused on enhancing the capacity and functionality of the Port of Mogadishu, which serves as a primary entry point for commodities and humanitarian supplies entering the nation.

The government explained that although the warehouse was eliminated to allow construction work to advance, precautions were implemented to guarantee that food aid was not lost or redirected and that the custody and administration of the supplies remained secure throughout the process, a assertion that has been challenged by certain international partners.

Officials mentioned that to prevent any interference with ongoing humanitarian activities, a larger and more suitable warehouse has now been assigned to the World Food Programme within the port area, a step they indicated would expand storage capacity and support the ongoing provision of food assistance to communities confronting food insecurity across Somalia.

The ministry also recognized that there were deficiencies in coordination and information exchange between Somali authorities and donors, including humanitarian agencies operating at the port, and stated that the government would examine the circumstances surrounding the incident in order to introduce measures designed to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The clarification comes after criticism from the United States, which declared that it would suspend certain types of assistance benefiting the Somali government after accusing officials of demolishing a facility financed by the United States and improperly seizing food aid intended for humanitarian distribution.

A senior United States State Department official responsible for foreign assistance stated that the destruction of the facility and the handling of the food supplies raised substantial questions regarding respect for humanitarian operations and adherence to agreements governing the use and protection of donor-funded aid.

Washington’s reaction intensified pressure on Mogadishu to clarify the incident, particularly given Somalia’s significant dependence on international assistance to address food shortages, displacement, and the effects of conflict and climate-related shocks impacting millions of individuals.

Somali officials had previously defended the choice to remove the warehouse, asserting that it occupied an area needed for port expansion and that construction activities did not impede the distribution of humanitarian aid, a position that has now been elaborated upon in the most recent statement from the Foreign Ministry.

In its statement, the ministry emphasized Somalia’s “full commitment to transparency and accountability” and stated that cooperation with the World Food Programme, the United States, and other contributors remains essential to addressing humanitarian requirements and preserving trust with partners that support relief efforts in the country.

The government indicated that resolving the matter was crucial to maintaining relationships with donors and ensuring the continuation of humanitarian assistance, noting that Somalia continues to depend on international backing to sustain food aid programs and respond to persistent humanitarian challenges throughout the nation.