Challenges Faced by United Nations Agencies in Delivering Emergency Response Services in South Central Somalia

ABSTRACT The impact of growing insecurity on the humanitarian situation is severe and the delivery of aid to the 3~2 million Somalis in need has been seriously reduced as NGO workers, UN agencies have become prime targets, This calls for investigations on the challenges faced by the United Nations Agencies delivering emergency response projects in war affected areas in order to come up with policies that can be employed to positively address the situation. The main Purpose of the study was to establish the challenges faced by UN agencies delivering emergency response projects in South Central Somalia. The required data was collected from various UN Agencies delivering emergency response projects in South Central Somalia, through questionnaire guides for primary data and secondary data being the library, internet and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS. Questionnaires and Observation methods were used to collect data from the respondents; self-administered questionnaires were ideal. The questionnaires comprised of both closed-ended and open-ended questions, Out of the 65 questionnaires distributed, the researcher only receives 62 questionnaires back. The research show that the decline of humanitarian space, security concern, clan dynamics, continued fighting between the TFG and insurgents, logistics and transportation, lack of government institutions, among others are the challenges facing the UN Agencies. The study therefore recommends that; the international community should either develop a strategic plan toward humanitarian assistance for Somalia or support the TFG both in kind and capital to reach the humanitarian need of the needy people in Somalia, U~N agencies and member states should fully fund and staff emergency humanitarian assistance program to meet the needs of vulnerable Somali people.