FACTORS AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF LIVELIHOOD PROJECTS IN REFUGEE CAMPS: THE CASE OF GAMBELLA REFUGEE CAMPS

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the factors influencing implementation performance of livelihood projects in refugee camps in Gambella. The study specifically looked into policy/political, economic, organized refugee settlement area related and gaps in context analysis and planning related factors influence the implementation performance of livelihood projects. Causal research design was deployed with a target population of 1,200 drawn from 10 livelihood implementing projects. A simple random sampling was used to identify 120 respondents from project employees and community workers in the projects. Six key informants for interview were purposively selected based on the knowledge of the study subject matter. The data collection tools were questionnaire and key informant interview. Questionnaires distributed to the team members and individuals who are involved with the project. Interview was conducted with the program manager and project coordinator. The data obtained through questionnaire has been analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics: frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and Regression test and through SPSS version 20.0 software. The qualitative data analysis was thematically guided by the study objectives and the statements from the themes correlated to the implementation performance of livelihood projects. The finding indicated that political/policy/; economic; gaps in context assessment and location of settlement area related factors were influence the performance of livelihood projects in Gambella refugee camps. Even though, the external factors affect the performance level of livelihood projects in the camp, the finding revealed that the performance of livelihood projects in Gambella refugee camps improved by an average mean of 2.72 and standard deviation of 1.296. The study recommends that there is need for appropriate initiatives to be developed which support refugee livelihoods.The posiblity of facilitating financial services, ceredit access, undertaking more livelihood projects considered as means to enance the food secrity and to improve household income of the refugees.