Socio-Economic Effects Of Relief Aid On Households’ Livelihoods In Dhobley Town, Lower Juba, Somalia

Abstract

The question as to whether or not foreign aid enhances economic growth and efficiency in resource use has long been debated, but still no consensus has been reached among researchers and policy makers. The purpose of this study was to explore the socioeconomic effects of relief aid on households’ livelihoods in Dhobley town, Lower Juba, Somalia. The research specifically aimed at analyzing socioeconomic factors contributing to relief dependency among households in Dhobley; examining the role of aid agencies on improving the livelihoods of vulnerable households in Dhobley town; determining the effects of humanitarian assistance on beneficiary households; and evaluating donor strategies on delivering aid to local communities. The study targeted 410 vulnerable households living in Dhobley town. A sample size of 132 household heads was chosen using McDaniel and Gates, (2004) formula. Purposive sampling procedure was used to select 10 town officers, 4 aid workers and 5 headmen as key informants. Interview questionnaires for household heads and interview schedules for government officers, aid agencies and headmen were used to collect data. The reliability was determined using test-retest method, with a cut-off point of 0.7. The data collected was both qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis while quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive methods. This involved compiling data using MS Excel and SPSS statistical package. Data was presented by the use of frequency tables, graphs and pie charts. The study revealed that aid has mixed socio- economic effects. On one hand, long-term provision of aid has created relief mentality, laziness and eroded local resilience. On the other hand, it improved the living standard of households through provision of basic services and promotion of local trade and investment in the short-run. The study indicated that aid agencies emphasized emergency life-saving programs than development interventions. The top-down approach of aid provision by donors ignores the underlying causes of poverty and local priorities. The study recommends relevant stakeholders to come up with relevant and practical strategies that can minimize aid dependency and emphasize long-term resilience of the target communities.