The impact of water insecurity on human security: Experiences from Somalia: A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Applied Science

Abstract

The 1994 UNDP Human Development Report pioneered the concept of human security. This entailed a shift in the framing of security from physical security at the level of the nation state to a more people-centred concept consisting of seven highly interdependent constructs. Significantly, water security was not amongst them. Furthermore, there has been a strong focus on water problems in recent years, from flooding to drought to waterborne disease, and the immense impact of these issues. No concept has been able to encapsulate the range of these problems and the relationships between them. Because the concept of water security has the potential to encompass this complexity, this research aimed to test the theory that water security should be included as a facet of human security. Through seven case studies conducted with participants from Somalia, the relationships between water issues and each of the constructs of human security are investigated in this study. This was to ascertain the interdependence of water and human security constructs at the level of the individual or household. The results of both qualitative and quantitative analysis suggested that water security integrates diverse water problems and, whilst specific relationships vary by region, economic status and urban/rural living, it is strongly interrelated with the human security constructs. This provides compelling support for the suggestion that water security, in its own right, should be included in the model of human security. The concept of water security is an opportunity for water issues to be addressed in more holistic and therefore more effective ways.