Research in Somalia shows that disaster relief should be focusing on resilience, or "building the capacity of a family or community to withstand shocks in a way that minimizes long-term developmental consequences." For example, the research showed that when women were empowered to be involved in household decision-making, resilience was improved: "Traditionally, Somali women don’t take a big role outside the household, where men tend to run the show. But during the crisis, the men were often absent. In search of income or assistance, they relocated to towns, distant grazing lands, or IDP camps. Women who were more empowered had the confidence to negotiate with elites to gain access to essential services, like health clinics and markets. Their children tended to be healthier and better fed."
Lawyer and Legal Journalist
