Role of the Humanitarian – Development – Peace (HDP) Nexus evidence in Tackling Protracted Environmental Conflicts in Somalia

Purpose: The work-based paper considered how each of the HDP components could be combined to strengthen the overall approach and outcomes of tackling Protracted Environmental Conflicts. Methodology: The work-based paper methodology rested on mixed methods research whereby converged and merged quantitative and qualitative data collected by KOBOTOOLBOX software were used to validate the Role of the (HDP) Nexus evidence in Tackling Protracted Environmental Conflicts in Somalia. Utilizing the TOC theory and HDP frameworks, the Work based work-based paper aims revolved around creating a logic model based on contextual and background factors of the HDP model. The work-based paper Sample size consisted of 112 humanitarian stakeholders, non-staff and staff personnel operating in Somaliland. Results: results showed gendered differences; (64.5%;40) of males and female participants (22,35.5%) responded to the interviews implying that males’ personnel dominated humanitarian operations. The mean age of all respondents was 37.15 years, while the minimum and maximum ages were 24 and 61, respectively.50(81%) of respondents were familiar with the HDP nexus approach, while 19% had no idea. A further 12 (24%) had incorporated medium to long-term strategies in their organisations.92% of respondents felt that that the triple nexus was appropriate to address the protracted crisis in Somalia.qualitative result indicated barriers to HDP operationalization were economic, political, donor, technology and environmental peacebuilding in Somali strengthened the local community’s capacity to manage the use of and competition over natural resources thus reduce/prevent conflicts as depicted by a majority observations. Scoping HDP evidence revealed that the HDP model was in use and highly successful in many conflict areas although practical local based variations of HDP nexus application in Somalia provided mixed results. Consequently, an integrated logic model ‘PHDPNRS’; pathways of HDP nexus reality in Somali’ was created to solve PEV. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The work-based paper contributes to the literature on the HDP nexus by demonstrating its potential to tackle protracted environmental conflicts in Somalia. It introduces a new logic model called 'PHDPNRs' that can guide future research and implementation. The work-based paper provides policy recommendations for enhancing the operationalization of the HDP nexus in Somalia. These include the need for medium to long-term strategies, increased funding, and local-based variations of the approach. The work-based paper provides practical insights into the barriers and facilitators of operationalizing the HDP nexus in conflict-affected areas. It recommends strengthening the local community's capacity to manage natural resources to prevent conflicts.