Abstract:
The objective of the study was to analyze the causes and challenges related to the internal displacement of persons in Somalia and explore possible solutions to address the issue. The research focused on urban areas and more specifically IDP camps in Daynile and Kaxda Mogadishu Somalia. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis. In the study, qualitative research was done before quantitative research. The use of qualitative research in the study was used to achieve two primary purposes. The first purpose was to provide strategic direction, especially in formulating of relevant questions and parameters used in the quantitative study on forced displacement in Somalia. The second use of qualitative research in the study was to capture and understand the context of internal displacement in Somalia. Six key informant interviews were conducted to provide more in-depth insight at regional and national level on displacement in Somalia. Subsequently, the qualitative information collected informed the formulation of the questionnaire used to collect quantitative data. Purposive sampling was used in the quantitative data collection process. One hundred twenty respondents were interviewed during the quantitative survey. 60 respondents from Kaxda and 60 respondents in Daynile participated in the quantitative study. From the research, the leading causes of displacement can be categorized into two main themes. These are insecurity and lack of adequate access to vital basic needs for the families targeted. On average security and related political reasons account for 44.2 percent of the displacements accounted for by the respondents. Lack of access to the primary services, which is classified as social, economic factors follow closely with 30.6% on average moving due to lack of direct essential services. Other factors included 17.5 percent moving due to death or injury of a family member; 14.2 percent for fear of persecution or violent retaliation; 10 percent driven out through extortion from armed groups; 12.5 percent had no access to arable or pasture land with 7.5 percent indicating drought as the critical aspect that drove them out. The study findings show that socioeconomic factors such as lack of food, water, education, and health services significantly contribute to displacement in Somalia. Further, the results show that IDPs face challenges such as lack of humanitarian aid, gender-based violence, lack of credible justice system, lack of essential services such as water, education, health, and sanitary services. The study findings show that 85 percent of respondents aspire to upgrade their living conditions beyond 1DP camps in Daynile and Kaxda districts. 82.5 percent aspire to live in a safe environment. 75.8 percent of IDPs desire a stable source of livelihoods such as employment while 50.8 percent indicating ownership of property as the durable solutions to their IDP status. The IDPs also mentioned family reunification, participation in public affairs and acquiring key documents as other essential subsidiary solutions to their IDP status.
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