Livestreaming
Somali diaspora humanitarianism in complex crises
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What does it mean for Somalis in rainy Copenhagen when their families in Somalia are affected by drought? Or if flooding destroys their houses and livelihoods when the rains finally appear? How do Somali women groups in Kenya and Zambia reach out to assist households urgently in need of humanitarian assistance? What about diaspora actors whose involvement goes hand in hand with political ambitions or if religious authorities are taking the lead? Who is supported and who are left out?
At this roundtable, we discuss these questions based on our findings in the Diaspora Humanitarianism in Complex Crises (D-Hum) research project. Focusing on transnational ties between different Somali localities – from Mogadishu to Lasanod – and central diaspora hubs in African and Western countries, we examine the intricacies and practices of emergency assistance, whether acute or long-term, and reflect on the lessons learnt and policy implications for supporting or collaborating with diaspora actors.
Sahra Ahmed Koshin is a PhD student at the University of Nairobi and University of Copenhagen. Her research examines how Somali businesswomen and female refugees living in Zambia carries out emergency assistance in Puntland. Sahra is the founder and director of the Somali Gender Hub and a prolific blogpost writer.
Peter Alexander Albrecht is a senior researcher at DIIS, with expertise in security, conflict and development, provided by state and non-state actors in Somalia and West Africa.
Abdirahman Ali Edle is a PhD student at the University of Nairobi and University of Copenhagen. His research focuses on the role of religion and politics in Somali diaspora humanitarianism in Nairobi and Mogadishu. Abdirahman also has experience as a research consultant.
Mark Bradbury is the executive director of the Rift Valley Institute and is based in Nairobi. Mark is an expert in humanitarian aid and development in East Africa and further afield.
Fatima Mohamed Dahir is a PhD student at the University of Nairobi and University of Copenhagen. Her PhD project analyzes the organization and delivery of diaspora humanitarianism between Nairobi, Kenya, and Dollow, Somalia, focusing on the role technology.
Karuti Kanyinga is director of and research professor at the Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi and an expert in politics, development, and governance in Kenya and the Horn of Africa.
Nauja Kleist is a senior researcher at DIIS, with expertise in migration, mobility and diaspora engagement. She is the PI of the D-Hum project and has followed Somali diaspora engagement for +20 years.
Jethro Norman is a postdoc at DIIS and was a postdoc in the D-Hum project where he analyzed diaspora humanitarianism in the periphery of Somaliland. His research includes security, development and conflict as well.
Obadia Okinda is senior researcher at the Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi. His research focuses on the role of technology in diaspora humanitarianism and policy dialogue.
Programme
16.30-16.40 Welcome and introduction, Nauja Kleist
16.40-17.30 Roundtable discussion, all speakers
17.30-18.00 Q&A
18.00 Reception
The seminar was held and recorded on 7 June 2023, 16.30-18.00 in DIIS Auditorium.
- Natural resources and environment
- Defence and security
- Migration
- High-risk migration
- Migration and development
- Development policy
- Inequality and poverty
- Development in practice
- Foreign policy
- Danish and European foreign policies
- Diplomacy and international organisations
- Peace and conflict
- Peacebuilding and democratization
- Fragile states
- Global economy
- Emerging economies
- Conflict and economy
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![Nauja Kleist](/files/styles/square_01/public/media/image/nauja-kleist_0.jpg?h=444c4409&itok=PFDSpLW3)
![Peter Albrecht](/files/styles/square_01/public/media/image/peter-albrecht.jpg?h=25d940ac&itok=V7tVl2je)
![Jethro Norman](/files/styles/square_01/public/media/image/jethro-norman.jpg?h=24ef80cb&itok=VWXNnkCl)