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US Pauses Foreign Aid to Somali Government Amid Fraud Allegations

The action was taken after U.S. officials learned of the possible theft of tons of food meant to help impoverished citizens in Somalia.
US Pauses Foreign Aid to Somali Government Amid Fraud Allegations
A mother in Somalia waits to have her child vaccinated against hepatitis B, in this file photo. Carl De Souza/AFP via Getty Images
Jill McLaughlin
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The United States suspended all assistance programs for the Somali federal government on Jan. 7 after reports surfaced alleging that Somali officials had destroyed a U.S.-funded World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse and seized 76 metric tons of food aid intended for its poverty-stricken citizens.

“The Trump Administration has a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, and diversion of life-saving assistance,” the U.S. Office of Foreign Assistance announced on social media, saying the United States is “deeply concerned” about the reports.
Jill McLaughlin
Jill McLaughlin
Author
Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.