Sustainable Conflict Resolution through Community Based Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Planning in Fragile and Conflict Situations: The Case of Somalia. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mafuta, Wonder; Zuwarimwe, Jethro; Kamuzhanje, Joseph; Mwale, Marizvikuru; Chipaike, Ronald
• Other Names: Helliker Kirk guest-editor.; Chikozho Mazarire Gerald guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of Asian and African studies. Volume 56:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 352
• Page End: 363
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Community based -- planning -- fragile context -- WASH -- conflict; Social change -- Africa -- Periodicals; Social change -- Asia -- Periodicals; Economic development -- Africa -- Periodicals; Economic development -- Asia -- Periodicals; Africa -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Asia -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Africa -- Periodicals; Asia -- Periodicals; 950
• DOI: 10.1177/0021909620928104
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9096

Abstract

The study examines the nature of disputes, which are prevalent in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programming and suggests possible conflict management and resolution mechanisms. An online web-based survey, hosted on the popular Survey Monkey platform, was conducted through the Somalia WASH Cluster to 40 'active' member organisations. A response rate of 73% was achieved. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 12. The type of conflicts identified are as follows: visible versus non-visible benefits, emergency versus development focus, the young and the old, insiders versus outsiders, local versus donor priorities and men versus women. The article goes on to suggest possible conflict resolution mechanisms, which include: planning together with communities, continuum programming, setting up early warning systems, harmonisation of institutions managing WASH resources and the development of localised Memorandums of Understanding. It is recommended that the complexities of conflict and fragility require different approaches. The approaches would apply to both relief and developmental WASH programming.