DETERMINANTS OF LOCALIZATION OF HUMANITARIAN AID IN KENYA: A SURVEY OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN WAJIR COUNTY

Abstract

Humanitarian has become an important sector in provision of the assistance to many disasters affected areas in the world. Humanitarian relief is the provision of the lifesaving assistance to those in the need including victims of conflicts and natural disasters. However, many non-governmental organizations offered humanitarian assistance as a short-term intervention, which in turn created dependency. The consequences of the above have been a less motivated pastoral population, reduced productivity in efforts to improve their social and economic well-being, and a psychological dependence on humanitarian aid, which has led to reduced innovation. The Main objective of this study is to examine the determinants of localization of humanitarian aid in Kenya a survey of Non- Governmental Organization in Wajir County and study the specific objectives are to establish how direct funding determines localization of humanitarian aid of NGO in Wajir County; to establish how partnership determines localization of humanitarian aid of NGO in Wajir County; to establish how leadership commitment determines localization of humanitarian aid of NGO in Wajir County and to establish how capacity building determines localization of humanitarian aid of NGO in Wajir County. Theories used in this study were Neo-institutional theory (anchor theory) and institutional theory. The study used correlational research design to determine degree and direction of the relationship between variables. This research was conducted in Wajir county to provide a relevant and practical context for the study. The study target population was 280 employees of 9 NGOs operating in Wajir County, and the sample size was 85 respondents that was randomly selected from the target population. Questionnaires were used as the main data collection tool. Pilot study questionnaire was administered to 10% of the target population who were not included in the final study. To ensure reliability of the study, co-efficient of 0.7 or above was obtained for all the constructs. Analysis of data was done using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Analysis of the data was done using descriptive statistics; specifically mean, averages and percentages. The social sciences statistical package (SPSS) application was used to analyse the data and presentation was done in form of tables so that users of the research findings could comprehend them quickly and easily. Inferential statistics was used to show the relationship that existed between the study variables. It was found that direct funding, partnerships, leadership commitment and capacity building affect localization of humanitarian aid. The study recommends further research be done on the same area since the survey could not exhaust all the determinants of localization of the humanitarian aid in Wajir county.