Refugee Settlement Areas and Environmental Degradation in Mogadishu, Somalia

ABSTRACT 

The study was based on the analysis of environmental degradation in refugee settlement areas in Mogadishu, Somalia. The objectives of the study were; (i) establish the effectiveness of the strategies used by the local government in settlement of refugees in Mogadishu, Somalia, (ii) to determine the level of environmental degradation within and around refugee settlements and (iii) to analyze whether there is a relationship between refugee settlement and environmental degradation. The cross-sectional survey design was used to harmonize both quantitative and qualitative data in order to counter the possible biases of the two methods employed. Both simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select a sample in Slovene’s formula for calculations of the sample sizes. The findings of this study indicated that the policy of government want for environmental protection from refugees in camp areas practices are effective but it does not implemented well during routine internal refugee camp areas. The study findings established serious negative impact of refugee settlement patterns on the natural environmental resources in IDP camps in Mogadishu. In addition, the study findings established that refugees in the camp sites were greatly exposed to challenges of diseases and hazardous substances which can affect their health. It is recommended that the formation ofjoint refugee! local management develop and enforce by-laws relating to environmental friendly in order to implementing acts on environment and can be an effective mechanism for reduction pollutants from point source, waste disposal, noise and spread waste hierarchy management, replanting and thus reduce, the conflict resolution and enforcement refugee impact on the environment. The local government is also recommended to improve on the hygienic environmental life style of the refugees in the settlements in the camps such as building sewage system, recycle bin which they are collaborating with other parts of the town. This is to prevent diseases such as cholera, typhoid, malaria, diarrhea, among others.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL

DEDICATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

PLATES

ABSTRACT ix

CHAPTER ONE: THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Background of the Study 1

1.1.1 Historical Perspective 1

1.1.2 Theoretical Perspective 2

1.1.3 Conceptual Perspective 3

1.1.4 Contextual Perspective 4

1.2 Statement of the Problem 6

1.3 The Purpose of the Study 7

1. 4 Objectives of the Study 7

1.5 Research Questions 7

1.6 Research Hypotheses 7

1.7.1 Geographical Scope 8

1.7.2 Content Scope; 9

1.7.3 Theoretical Scope 9

1.7.4 Time Scope 9

1.8 Significance of the Study 9

1.9 Operational Definitions of Key Terms 10

CHAPTER TWO: LITTERATUE REVIEW 12

2.0 Introduction 12

2.1 Theoretical Review 12

2.2 Conceptual Framework 15

2.3 Related Studies 16

2.4 Effective Local Integration of Refugee Settlements 18

2.5 Related Studies 19

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY .25

3.0 Introduction 25

3.1 Research Design 25

3.2 Research Population 25

3.4 Sample Procedure and Strategy 26

3.5 Research Instruments 26

3.5. Data Gathering Procedure 27

3.6. Data Analysis 27

3.7. Ethical Consideration 28

3.8. Limitations of the Study 28

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.0 Introduction 29

4.1 Demographic Characteristics of Respondents 29

4.3 Level of Environmental Degradation in Refugee Settlement Areas in Mogadishu 35

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS 40

5.0 Introduction 40

5.1 Discussion of Findings 40

5.1.1 Effectiveness ofthe Strategies used by the Local Government in Settlement of Refugees in Mogadishu, Somalia 40

5.1.2 Level of Environmental Degradation within and around Refugee Settlements 42

5.1.3 Relationship between Refugee Settlements and Environmental Degradation 43

5.2 Conclusion 46

5.3 Recommendations 48

REFERENCES 50

APPENDICES 54

APPENDIX I: OBSERVATIONS OF SETTLEMENT AREAS 54

APPENDIX II: TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR THE RESPONDENTS 58

APPENDIX III: QUESTIONNAIRE 59

APPENDIX IV: INFORMED CONSENT 64

APPENDIX V REQUEST LETTER 65

APPENDIX VI RESEARCHER’S CURRICULUM VITAE 66