The Associated Press has obtained a letter stating that the United Nations food relief agency is investigating the theft of food aid from life-saving humanitarian operations in Ethiopia.

The World Food Program is investigating the theft of food aid meant for humanitarian operations in Ethiopia, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press.

The director of WFP in Ethiopia, Claude Jibidar, expressed concern about the large-scale sale of food in some markets, which not only poses reputational risks but also threatens the agency’s capacity to mobilize more resources for needy people.

Jibidar requested WFP’s partner organizations to share any information or cases of food misuse, misappropriation, or diversion. The stolen aid, which included enough food for 100,000 people, was discovered missing from a warehouse in Sheraro, a town badly affected by conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region.

The aid workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the aid was supplied by USAID and was due to be distributed by partners.

USAID said it had proactively identified the diversion of some assistance in Northern Ethiopia and is taking all necessary steps to stop the diversion.

In March, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced $331 million in funding for aid agencies working in Ethiopia.