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.
