Contributions of Somali diaspora in the health institutions building: a case of migration for development in Africa, in health programs for ministry health in Somaliland.

Abstract

The entire institutions of the Government of Somali were affected by the civil war that erupted in 1991, resulting in massive destruction of the physical institutions, loss of institutional memory, and migration human capital. After long peace building and reconciliation efforts by the International community, African Union, the neighboring countries and as well as Somali people, the country has partially normalized returning back to the path of the stability the gradual security stability in the country had prompted the Somali diaspora to return home. Despite the fragility of the state, the number of returnees from diaspora, returning refugees and other asylum seekers has been increasing, prompted by patriotism and programs like Assisted Voluntary Returnee and Reintegration (AVRR), sponsored by UNHCR, as well as IOM which has played a huge role through providing incentives and legal assistance. There are other programs special programs aimed at development, reconstruction and capacity building which are the focus of this study. These include; MIDA health FINNSOM, Transition Initiatives for Stabilization (TIS), Capacity Building for Somalia and Capacity injection program) by IOM and World Bank. These programs, aim at tapping the diaspora skills gained from the countries of diaspora residence to their home country. This paper aims at evaluating the impact of diaspora in building institutions policies, procedures and on job training to the civil servants specifically in the Health sector. As the country is persuading federal system where each member state of the federal government of Somalia has its own Health Ministry with its own administrations, but politically under the federal Ministry of health, national policies and health agendas are administered by the Federal Government of Somalia. Therefore, this research paper has assessed MIDA especially for Somali medical professionals from diaspora on Ministry of health in Somaliland for capacity building and how effective those programs are, the extent, and the challenges in hindering the programs also the challenges the diaspora people experience on the ground. Finally, the study has suggested possible way forward to ease the challenges for the Medical professionals from diaspora people to effectively transfer required skills to the Somaliland Ministry of Health as well as enhance program design towards sustainability and exit strategy.