Somalia Country Unit

The aspiration survey seeks to examine the multiple dimensions of vulnerabilities and sense of belonging among IDPs in four major Somali cities, through disaggregated data comparing with host communities and focusing on access to jobs, safety, social cohesion, housing and forced eviction. The analysis compares different groups of IDPs (those living in and out of settlements, displaced by conflict and climate-related reasons, in male and female-headed households, recently displaced and in protracted displacement, displaced once and multiple times), as well as host and non-host communities in urban areas. This information provides a more comprehensive picture of displacement-related impacts and dynamics with the aim to better inform area-based durable solutions programing.  The objectives are to better understand:

• The aspirations, intentions, and push and pull factors of displacement-affected communities
• Underlying issues that influence processes of displacement, return, and (re)integration
• Factors that shape the decisions of people to move and the impact on the wider community

Methodology: It applies a mixed methodology consisting of structured quantitative household interviews and semi structured focus group discussions (FGDs) in each of the target locations. The target sample size for the household level interviews in each location is 500 households, with a total of 2,010 households (658 host community and 1,352 displaced households) surveyed between June and September 2019. All households participated in an in depth quantitative phone interview to create a baseline household survey. In total, 60 FGDs were conducted with participants from both host community and displaced households. Survey group leaders (selected from groups of ten households) also provided key informant interviews (KIIs) on a monthly basis during data collection. The qualitative information from the FGD and KIIs were used to inform the analysis of the household survey findings. The survey will be undertaken on an annual basis for the next 3 years to listen to displacement affected communities overtime to have better data to inform better targeting and programming.

2019/ 2020 report: This is the 1^st report of an annual series. The report presents a comparative analysis of data collected from the first baseline of the ReDSS annual aspirations survey conducted in Somalia from June to December 2019 in four locations: Baidoa, Dollow, Kismayo and Mogadishu. It was commissioned by the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS), in partnership with the Danwadaag Solutions Programme, Durable Solutions Programme (DSP) and RE-INTEG consortia partners. It was conducted by IMPACT Initiatives.  Click here for the full report and executive summary, here for the summary PWP and below to access the specific thematic summary extracts:

• Displacement patterns
• Economic development
• Social integration
• Perceptions of safety, security
• Housing, land, and property (HLP)

ReDSS and the research team would especially like to thank representatives of the Somali government at federal level – in particular the colleagues at the Directorate of National Statistics within Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development (MoPIED) – and member states level, the members of the Technical Advisory Committee – UN Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO), Somalia Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Danish Refugee Council (DRC), Building Resilient Communities in Somalia (BRCiS), Samuel Hall, Africa’s Voices Foundation (AVF), Monitoring and Evaluation for the Somalia Humanitarian, Health and Resilience Programmes of DFID (MESH), World Bank, Gargaar Relief and Development Organization (GREDO). Most importantly, ReDSS would also like to thank the internally displaced persons, returnees and host community members in Baidoa, Dollow, Kismayo and Mogadishu, who provided information and shared their experiences. The report was edited by Kate McGuinness and the financial support provided from DFID, Danida and the EU.

Cities and towns are on the front line of receiving and welcoming people who have been displaced. In the 20 articles on Cities and towns in this issue of FMR, policymakers, practitioners, researchers, representatives of cities and international city-focused alliances, and displaced people themselves debate the challenges facing both the urban authorities and their partners, and those who have sought refuge.

A number of authors explore new ways of working in urban settings – including area-based approaches, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and city-to-city collaboration – while others offer insights and inspiration from local responses and the perspectives of displaced and host communities. Other authors examine how camp management practices can be applied in urban settings, how resilience can be bolstered by improved communication and information sharing, and how municipal capacity and community dialogue can be strengthened to improve protection in high-risk neighbourhoods. The issue also draws out practical lessons for promoting inclusive climate action, negotiating contested authority, and encouraging urban planning that takes account of both displaced and host community needs.

Click here for our full article on a multi-stakeholder approach to urban displacement in Somalia and here for the full FMR issue on Cities and towns

The Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS) has commissioned Impact Initiative to develop and pilot a people-centered survey methodology to understand intentions and aspirations vis-à-vis durable solutions, as well as inter-community dynamics and relations, in displacement-affected communities. This will be used annually as a longitudinal survey in Baidoa, Kismayo, Dollow and Mogadishu. Survey data will help to inform the design and adaptation of solutions-oriented policies and programming.

The objectives of the aspirations survey are to better understand:

• the aspirations, intentions and push and pull factors of displacement affected communities
• the underlying issues that influence processes of displacement, return and (re)integration
• the factors that shape people’s decisions to move and the impact on the wider communities

Based on the survey findings, workshops will be conducted bringing policy makers and practitioners together to inform collective analysis/ common understanding of the different factors that shape displacement, return and (re)integration in Somalia to adapt and improve durable solutions programing:

• What are profiles, aspirations, intentions and push and pull factors of host, returnees and IDP populations?
• What are the underlying issues that influence processes of displacement, return and (re)integration?
• What factors shape people’s decisions concerning displacement, return and (re)integration in these 4 locations?
• What is the impact of displacement, return and (re)integration on the wider community?
• Priorities and recommendations would also be used to inform and contribute to National Development Plan, draft National Policy on Internal Displacement, local development and urbanization/space planning documents and other appropriate policies.

The information coming from the survey will be reviewed together with stakeholders to inform a common understanding and develop joint analysis and recommendations to adapt programs. The aspirations survey is not intended to monitor the 28 IASC/ReDSS solutions framework indicators. This is done through the solutions analysis using secondary data available. The survey will not be able to inform IDP figures in the locations as only selected displacement affected communities will be part of the exercise.

Click here for the one pager, click here a comparative analysis and summary presentations of the findings from Kismayo, Baidoa and Mogadishu.