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Researchers: Anna Lindley Authors: Dr Anna Lindley (SOAS) and Anita Haslie (NUPI) Publication date: August 2011

Two decades since the collapse of the Somali Republic, the Somali regions are still suffering from chronic political uncertainty, violence and high levels of internal and external population displacement. Protracted displacement situations which began in the 1990s have been overlaid by new crises. By early July 2011, UNHCR estimated that a quarter of Somalia’s population was displaced, either internally or as refugees. In terms of both the numbers of people affected and their humanitarian and protection needs, the current situation is widely acknowledged to be among the worst displacement situations in the world.

This study focuses on the dynamics of displacement from south-central Somalia and explores responses to it, drawing on the accounts of policy makers and displaced people themselves. Carried out from April to June 2011, the study is based on desk research and interviews in Kenya, Somaliland and by telephone with other locations.

The report concludes with some reflections and recommendations regarding future policy, emphasising that while the informal strategies of displaced people outlined can be effective in securing better protection and livelihoods, internally displaced people and refugees cannot themselves resolve their crisis of citizenship and access to rights. This remains the pressing responsibility of Somali political actors and the international community.