The Role of the EU in Supporting Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Benadir Region and their Integration into Sustainable Development Initiatives

Background: Close to 70 million people in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) urgently need humanitarian aid, constituting over a fifth of the people in need worldwide. This region faces numerous security, political, and socio-economic challenges, worsened by human-made and natural disasters. Somalia continues to be faced with conflict on multiple fronts, including the Government’s military offensive against Al Shabab, and deriving insecurity as well as eenvironmental risks and climate, including desertification, deforestation, droughts, landslides and floods. This study aims to assess the European Union’s role in providing humanitarian aid to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Benadir region and it also explores EU-supported development programs that promote long-term solutions for displaced communities. Methods: Data were collected from 335 respondents ,104 were hosted communities, and 232 were IDPs. Data were collected thorough structured questionnaire, where stratified sampling was used. Explanatory research design was used where other EU humanitarian reports in the area were evaluated to indicate the role and support program of EU in IDPs of Benadir region. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23. The study survey was carried out in Rajo Camp in Garasbaley and Elder Camp in Daynile district. Results: The highest proportion of study sample (69%) were Internal Displaced People who recently came in the camps. Additionally, 104 were hosted communities who hosted these IDPs in their empty lands. The research has also indicated highest level of female participation, with 69.3 percent compared to 30.7 percent of males. The educational level of the participants is low, as over half (75.3 percent) of the respondents had no formal education. The mean of all variables ranges from 2.134 to 2.773, suggesting that participants are somewhat satisfied with or concur with various elements of the projects. The items regarding participation in planning or decision-making of EU projects had a very low mean value (M = 1.340) and a small range. Conclusion and recommendations: It has been determined that EU-funded projects have produced real benefits for internally displaced persons in the Benadir region, particularly regarding improved living circumstances. Nonetheless, the impacts on economic prospects, community engagement, and sustainability remain negligible. Based on the findings, it is essential that EU-funded initiatives enhance the involvement of IDP communities in all phases of the project cycle, including planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation.