The politics of aid in Somalia: A critical evaluation, 1992- 2012

Abstract

The overall objective of the study is to critically evaluate the politics of aid in Somalia from 1992 to 2012. The study adopted a cross sectional survey. Primary data was collected using an interview guide. The study found that there were emerging issues which are political in the aid distribution program and there are also the raging debate and the absence of a unified humanitarian code of conduct besides other issues like corruption, terror vs. anti-terror group interference and vested interests by various actors (UN/NGOs, Somali government, other authorities etc.). The study recommends that reform of aid agencies and aid practices has to be driven by forces within donor countries, not by internationally-driven bureaucratic processes and agreements such as the first Code of Conduct on humanitarian engagement for Somalia. The ideals embodied in the Code of Conduct on humanitarian engagement for Somalia were good, but they could not be achieved in practice