Today ICAI published a performance review on UK aid delivery in Somalia. It found the UK aid is making a positive contribution to state-building and stability in Somalia, despite facing extremely challenging circumstances.
The aid, which amounted to £185m in 2016/17, delivered significant achievements in Somalia. However, the UK could improve its performance in several important areas.
Government departments working in Somalia have successfully integrated their work under a single UK strategy. However they need to do more to ensure their work is underpinned by an agreed view on the causes of the conflict, to help target aid programmes and ensure that they ‘do no harm’.
The UK has helped develop a political settlement in the world’s most fragile state, but more should be done to include ordinary Somalis in the political processes – to help ensure the settlement will last.
The UK government has adapted to the difficult operating environment in Somalia, including through its use of private sector contractors who have been able to work in areas recovered from the terrorist group Al-Shabaab.