NCA Somalia 2016-2018. Mid-term review

Somalia. April 2019

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Read the Somalia Country Strategy 2016-2020. Mid-Term Review Report (pdf)

Programme overview 

NCA’s 2016–2020 Somalia Country Strategy aims to improve health, economic empowerment and security. NCA focused on four programmes: water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), gender-based violence (GBV), education for sustainable development, and economic empowerment. NCA has also responded to emergency humanitarian needs and worked to strengthen civil society actors. NCA’s target areas in Somalia are: Gedo in Jubbaland State, Lower Shabelle in Southwest State, Benadir in Mogadishu State, and Puntland State. Activities were implemented directly by NCA or with local partners. 

Evaluation overview

In 2018–19, NCA conducted an internal mid-term review, supported by an external consultant. This assessed each programme’s progress towards its targets to provide actionable recommendations. It also assessed the relevance and validity of each programme’s theory of change.  

The review compared progress and targets in target districts in Gedo and Banadir regions with baseline results. It combined quantitative, qualitative, programmatic and participatory sources and triangulated primary and secondary data. Methods included structured questionnaires, a tracer study, focus group discussions and key informant interviews among target groups. A ‘Reflect’ session brought together government representatives.  

Key findings and recommendations

 WASH 

  • The interventions contributed to ownership of water services – up to 80% of households reported knowing water service managers. 
  • Hygiene promotion was working, with diarrhoea morbidity among children under five more than halving and over 90% of households using home-based water purification techniques.
  • The lack of sanitation policy was a major hindrance to eliminating open defecation. 
  • Sustainable water systems require at least one WASH committee representative to be trained on technical aspects.

 

Economic empowerment 

  • The vocational training interventions increased access to skills, but need to focus on building competencies, and providing equipment and start-up grants.
  • The synergy between vocational training and support to micro-enterprises enabled graduates to enter self-employment, which will ensure project sustainability.
  • Women entrepreneurs were identified, trained and supported with seed grants. 
  • Graduates need to be linked to employment through internships or on-the-job training in the informal sector.
  • NCA should promote harmonised donor support to vocational centres to ensure standard training implementation.

 

GBV 

  • 51% of women reported a decrease in GBV.
  • Engaging faith-based actors only partially protected women and girls as the selected religious leaders had little influence beyond their congregations. 
  • Male role models largely concentrated on preventing domestic violence rather than other forms of GBV.
  • The enactment of Sexual Offence Law and the successful prosecution of rapist in Puntland was a landmark achievement.
  • Use a GBV survey or information systems as data sources to understand prevalence.
  • Streamline coordination mechanisms for GBV support.

 

Education 

  • NCA and its partners made some progress towards increasing equitable access to education, with improved enrolment in schools.
  • NCA should support schools to maintain proper records.

This report is the product of its authors, and responsibility for the accuracy of data included in this report rests with the authors alone.