Diaspora Humanitarianism in Complex Crises (D-Hum)

Diaspora groups have emerged as key humanitarian actors in situations of protracted displacement and conflict. They are often the first to assist in acute emergencies and remain engaged during lengthy and complex crises. Their remittances reach remote areas and hard-to-reach populations, surpassing humanitarian aid sent to fragile states six times. Analyzing such assistance is therefore vital to understand the dynamics of humanitarian crises. 

Somalia is a critical case when it comes to the diaspora’s economic and political role. Due to its history of civil war and state collapse, Somalia is characterized by massive internal and international displacements. Today half of Somalia’s population is in acute need of assistance but access as well as financial means of humanitarian agencies remain limited. Connections with diaspora groups abroad therefore constitute a lifeline for local populations, particularly during emergencies. 

The D-Hum research project analyses how movements of goods, ideas and people are facilitated, mediated and blocked between and in these sites through the concept of humanitarian infrastructures. Specifically, we will pay attention to gender and generation in these processes, and to the potentially contentious dimensions of diaspora interventions. Importantly, we include analysis of the effects of diaspora humanitarianism, including accountability towards crisis-affected populations and various donors. 

D-Hum aims

• To provide theoretically and empirically grounded research on Somali diaspora humanitarianism and its infrastructures, as practiced and perceived from key sites and positions in Somalia, Kenya and Europe.
• To strengthen individual and institutional research capacities on diaspora humanitarianism and to enhance South-South and North-South research partnerships.
• To provide research-based tools for policy development on diaspora humanitarianism and enhanced collaboration between diaspora actors, the international humanitarian system and development agencies.

The D-Hum research project is organized in an international consortium with research partners in Kenya, Somaliland and Denmark. It is funded by a grant from the Danish Consultative Research Committee (FFU) as part of the development research funding provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, with additional funding from DIIS. It runs from between 2019 and 2024.

The consortium consists of the following partners:

Danish Institute for International Studies
Nauja Kleist, Senior Researcher (PI)
Peter Alexander Albrecht, Senior Researcher
Jethro Norman, Postdoc 

Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi
Karuti Kanyinga, Director and Research Professor
Obadia Okinda, Senior Researcher
Sahra Ahmed Koshin, PhD Candidate, (Sahra Ahmed Koshin on returning home, finding peace & bliss)
Abdirahman Edle Ali, PhD Candidate
Fatima Dahir Mohamed, PhD Candidate

Rako Research and Communication Centre, Hargeisa
Mohamed Aden Hassan, Research Director
Ahmed Musa, Postdoc

Rift Valley Institute, Nairobi
Mark Bradbury, Executive Director