| dc.description.abstract | Somalia faces one of the world's worst humanitarian crises following the two decades conflict and worsening cycles of drought and floods in the country. The country remains one of the most challenging environments for humanitarians to work due to the absence of a properly functioning state, a highly volatile security situation, and limited access. Aid workers are still considered legitimate targets within the conflict, with numerous kidnappings for ransom taking place and making Somalia one of the most dangerous places in the world.
In December 2011 alone, five aid workers were killed inside Somalia. It is dangerous for aid agencies to maintain an expatriate workforce in most parts of southern Somalia. Security, culture, political and cooperation issues are some of the factors that impede the effective delivery of humanitarian aid in the country. The humanitarian workers are common target for the killers. With the increasing rate of killings and kidnapping targeted at the aid workers, the UN declared some areas as no go zones for their workers, thus hindering delivery of assistance to the needy. According to an EC report, over 30 humanitarian agencies have been banned by armed opposition groups (AI Shabaab) in central south regions since 2008, where 37 aid workers were killed in Somalia in the same year, representing 66% of all aid workers killed worldwide.
Factors that affect effective delivery of humanitarian aid in Somalia have not been integrated and documented albeit the difficulties that are faced by aid workers. This fact therefore created a firm basis for a research on these factors that hinder the noble cause. Gedo region in Southern Somalia was chosen for study. Literature review covered the existing factors that humanitarian aid agencies face all over the world. It also covers the evolution of humanitarian aid in Somalia.
Further the literature review covers the specific factors that are faced while dealing with delivery of humanitarian aid in Somalia. Both qualitative and quantitative design was used in the study and data collection instruments applied included questionnaires which were administered to 33 respondents form four UN agencies. From literaruture review and the survey it was found that security, cultutural, political and coordination factors influence the effective delivery of humanitarian aid in Somalia.
Over 90% percent of the respondents agreed that security issues influenced delivery of humanitarian aid in the region. Children and women have are being exposed to danger by this new wave of aggression and hostilities against humanitarian aid workers. Looting and destruction of life-saving supplies affects the aid agencies efforts in the region. Culture greatly influences the effective delivery of aid according to all. Over 90% of the respondents pointed out gender roles, nomadic livelihood and clan feuds affected delivery of aid .at high levels.
Most respondent did agree strongly that political influence was a key hindrance to the effective delivery of humanitarian aid. Looting and diversion of aid by those who are politically powerful was one of the issues that over 95% of the respondents pointed out. The existing political structures are not strong enough to support effective delivery of aid in full capacity. Majority of the respondents comprising of over 80% indicated that there is no clear structures of coordination among the government, the aid agencies and the local community. | en_US |
