Impact of floods on internally displaced persons in Bosaso, Somalia
Abstract:This study examines the impact of floods on internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Bosaso, Somalia. Using a mixed-methods approach, questionnaires were administered to 341 participants selected through simple random sampling, while six key informant interviews from local government officials and humanitarian agencies were conducted using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests via SPSS (Version 20). The findings indicate that 49% of IDPs live in poor socioeconomic conditions, while 38% have moderate conditions. A chi-square analysis (χ² = 501.310, P-value = 0.000) shows a strong association between socioeconomic status and political factors. Floods predominantly occur during the Deyr (48%) and Gu' (35%) seasons, with a significant association (χ² = 435.224, P-value = 0.000) between seasonal flooding and flood frequency. Coping mechanisms employed include early warning systems (30%) and flood-resistant infrastructure (27%). Financial and logistical support was also found to be significantly associated with coping strategies (χ² = 698.488, P-value = 0.000). The study concludes that floods negatively affect Bosaso IDPs socioeconomic conditions and they are increasingly vulnerable to floods. The study therefore recommends urgent economic development programs, improved flood monitoring, and enhanced disaster adaptation strategies to mitigate flood impacts.
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