Challenges Faced by United Nations Agencies in Delivering Emergency Response Services in South Central Somalia

ABSTRACT The impact of growing insecurity on the humanitarian situation is severe and the delivery of aid to the 3.2 million Somalis in need has been seriously reduced as NGO workers, UN agencies have become prime targets, This calls for investigations on the challenges faced by the United Nations Agencies delivering emergency response projects in war affected areas in order to come up with policies that can be employed to positively address the situation. The main Purpose of the study was to establish the challenges faced by UN agencies delivering emergency response projects in South Central Somalia. The required data was collected from various UN Agencies delivering emergency response projects in South Central Somalia, through questionnaire guides for primary data and secondary data being the library, internet and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS. Questionnaires and Observation methods were used to collect data from the respondents; self-administered questionnaires were ideal. The questionnaires comprised of both closed-ended and open-ended questions. Out of the 65 questionnaires distributed, the researcher only receives 62 questionnaires back. The research show that the decline of humanitarian space, security concern, clan dynamics, continued fighting between the TFG and insurgents, logistics and transportation, lack of government institutions, among others are the challenges facing the UN Agencies. The study therefore recommends that; the international community should either develop a strategic plan toward humanitarian assistance for Somalia or support the TFG both in kind and capital to reach the humanitarian need of the needy people in Somalia, U.N agencies and member states should fully fund and staff emergency humanitarian assistance program to meet the needs of vulnerable Somali people.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Page

DECLARATION A I

DECLARATION B ii

APPROVAL SHEET

DEDICATION iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT V

TABLE OF CONTENTS vi

LIST OFTABLES x

LIST OF FIGURES xi

LIST OF FIGURES xi

ABSTRACT xii

One THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

introduction 1

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 2

Purpose of the Study 3

Objectives of the study 3

Research Questions 3

Scope of the Study 3

Significances of the Study 4

Two REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Introduction 5

Theoretical Review 6

VI

Early United Nations Efforts 9

UNOSOM Deployed 11

Establishment of UNOSOM 11

Original Concept of Operations 11

Enlargement of UNOSOM 12

Key issue of Humanitarian Aid in Somalia 14

Decline of Humanitarian Space 14

Security Situation 14

Clan Dynamics 16

Closure of Humanitarian Space 17

Regional Variations 18

The effects of Humanitarian Aid Services 20

Lack of access to Humanitarian Assistance 20

Mistrust between Government Institutions and NGOs 20

Lack of Regulation and Self-Regulation 20

Loose Structure and Lack of Clarity 21

Dependency on External Funding 21

Little International Engagement and Support 21

External Pressure for Networking 21

Unchanging Faces 21

Closure of International Borders 22

Limited focus 22

International Funding 22

Three METHODOLOGY

Introduction 23

Research Design 23

Research Population 23

Sample Size 23

Sampling procedure 24

Research Instrument 24

Reliability and Validity of the Instrument 25

Data Gathering Procedures 25

Data Processing and Analysis 25

Limitation of the Study 26

Four DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Introduction 27

Empirical Analysis 27

Analysis of the Response Rate 27

ANALYSIS OF THE STUDY 38

The Key Challenges Facing United Nation Agencies delivering

emergency response projects in South Central Somalia 38

How the Challenges faced affect the emergency response proj 39

Possible ways of reducing the Challenges facing UN Agencies 41

Conclusion 42

Five SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Introduction 43

Summary of the Findings 43

CONCLUSION 43

The Key Challenges Facing United Nation Agencies 44

How the Challenges faced affect the emergency response 44

Possible ways of reducing the Challenges facing UN Agencies 46

RECOMMENDATION 47

Areas of Further Study 49

REFERENCES 50

APPENDICES 53

APPENDIX A: QUESTIONNAIRE 53

APPENDIXES B: LIST OF UNITED NATION AGENCIES 57

APPENDIX C: UNIVERSITY INTRODUCTION LETTER 58

APPENDIX D: CURRICULUM VITAE 59