WFP Suspends Operations in SSC-Khatumo Over Looting of Aid

GOOBJOOG NEWS|SSC: The World Food Programme has suspended relief efforts in SSC-Khatumo following looting of close to 100 metric tons of humanitarian aid.

In a letter addressed to Puntland Vice president Ilyas Lugatoor on November 28, WFP Somalia Country Director and Representative El-Khidir Daloum says the aid agency will henceforth cease operations in Sool Sanaag and Cayn (SSC) regions, most of which are controlled by Puntland.

“As a result of the repeated incidents, WFP has made the difficult decision to pause all operations in SSC-Khatumo until there is a conducive environment for the delivery of all assistance in line with humanitarian principles,” the letter read in part. “This will be determined by WFP in consultation with relevant stakeholders.”

According to WFP 45 metric tons of aid was looted on November 24 destined for beneficiaries in Buhoodle district while a further 50 metric tons was looted on November 27 in the same district.

SSC-Khatumo is heavily contested between Puntland and Somaliland. In the last two years, Las-anood, the capital of Sool region, has experienced heavy fighting leading to hundreds of deaths. The Federal Government subsequently recognized SSC-Khatumo this year as an interim Federal Member State.