The Somali government admitted fault after it was accused of destroying a United States-funded warehouse and seizing 76 metric tons of food aid intended for Somali nationals. In early January, the State Department halted “all ongoing” aid to Somalia, citing concerning reports that its government had destroyed a World Food Programme warehouse and seized donor-funded food. Somalia previously denied the allegations, asserting that the expansion work at the Mogadishu port, where the U.S.-funded warehouse is located, did not impact the food aid. “The Federal Government of Somalia confirms that the commodities removed from the warehouse affected by port expansion activities, as referenced in recent reports, have been fully returned to the World Food Program (WFP). The Federal Government takes full responsibility for addressing this unfortunate situation and expresses its regret that it occurred,” the statement reads.