SomReP’s Accountability Systems
September - 2023
In light of recent concerns surrounding aid diversion, the Somali Resilience Program (SomReP) reaffirms its unwavering dedication to accountability, humanitarian values, resilience-building, and strengthening livelihoods. We are deeply committed to transparency and ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most.
About the SomReP
The SomReP is a consortium of 8 NGOs (ACF; ADRA; CARE; COOPI; DRC; Oxfam; Shaqodoon; World Vision) championing the resilience of diverse Somali communities - ranging from pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, and fisherfolk to peri-urban, hosts and internally displaced persons. Prioritizing women, youth, and individuals with disabilities, our program mitigates impacts caused by both natural and human-induced shocks and stresses. Through adaptation to climate change, and the diversification and sustainable adoption of livelihoods, we provide a shield against uncertainties, utilizing proven interventions to assist in mitigating challenges and promoting resilience. Collaborating closely with local communities, government entities, civil societies, and the private sector, the SomReP’s approach integrates disaster risk management, early warning mechanisms, inclusive economic systems and safety nets supported by agricultural and livestock recovery initiatives. Central to the SomReP's mission is our strong commitment to the communities we serve. Through our Accountability to the Affected Populations initiative, SomReP ensures that the communities are not just passive recipients but active participants, guiding our resilience-building efforts and shaping the trajectory of resilience and livelihood programs.
For more information on the SomReP, please check out this overview video:
After the 2011 Somali famine, they established a comprehensive program covering humanitarian, recovery, development, and peace efforts. They work closely with local stakeholders, monitor their progress annually, and adapt to evolving circumstances. With a presence in 22 districts, SomReP also fosters innovation through platforms like SomRIL, SLIC, and RNLAN.
SomReP’s Community Complaints Feedback & Response Mechanism
The SomReP places a strong emphasis on community engagement and collaboration. Through our Gender Climate and Vulnerability Capacity Assessments (GCVCA) and Community Action and Adaptation Plans (CAAPs), complemented with our Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, we rigorously engage with the community to ensure their active participation and incorporate their valuable insights. The SomReP’s Community Complaints and Feedback Response System provider dispatches targeted voice messages via IVR to recipients to share their feedback, suggestions, inquiries, complaints and concerns and as well to keep them apprised of pivotal program events, such as the launch of emergency response activities. This system does not merely acknowledge concerns but actively resolves them, safeguarding the dignity, rights, and welfare of all beneficiaries. The mechanism is built on 3 core principles (i) transparency (ii) accountability and (iii) responsiveness. As such, the SomReP has invested in people, processes and systems to ensure that we provide community driven pathways for increased accountability.
SomReP Staff Connecting with Supported Farmers
SomReP’s Response Hotline Approach
World Vision-led SomReP leverages World Vision International’s Zero Tolerance to fraud and corruption framework, in which anonymous complaints emanating via email or provided in-person suggesting misappropriation and fraud are logged into the Ethics Point system and sent to our Global Investigations Unit, which analyzes the validity of the claim and decides if the incident should be investigated at country-level or led by a global investigation team. There is also a whistleblower policy which includes a dedicated hotline for the community to voice feedback and report concerns, ensuring all grievances are managed with utmost fairness and diligence. Additionally, measures have been put in place to ensure zero fraud and corruption including periodic training of staff, signing of conflict of interest forms by staff, blocked party screening for partners, inclusion of clause related to fraud in all sub-agreements and continuous internal and external audits.
WVI Zero tolerance to fraud and corruption number:
503-726-3990
SomReP’s (Shaqodoon) hotline number: 3041
Case Management
The accountability system allows for a participant centered 3-tier process to ensure that concerns are received and addressed. Through the Grievance Response Mechanism (GRM) committee, anonymized cases are flagged for follow-up with partner agencies. The grievance redress committee leads processes to flag and unflag reported cases by linking with investigative units and contacting project teams to ensure they are addressed. Serious incidents such as fraud and safeguarding are flagged with the respective organizational Country Directors and the autonomous Global Investigative Unit (Ethics Point) for investigations and organizational accountability with a lead-time of 24-hours to act for each case report and 7-days for each case to be closed. All safeguarding incidents are also linked to support services that ensure timely and responsive emergency care even as investigations proceed. Case management processes are in line with respective donor fraud reporting requirements. The consortium and its members have a zero-tolerance to corruption and safeguarding and while we emphasize due process, we have a duty of care to participants and as such we have ensured the case management system ensures confidence and trust of the beneficiaries.
Case Management map
SomReP’s Community-led Monitoring through PMERL
PMERL for community-based adaptation
Through our Community-Driven Resilience (CDR) approach, community members are essential collaborators, actively participating in the design, execution, and monitoring of projects. Together with the government, periodic reviews utilizing the Participatory Monitoring Evaluation, Reflection and Learning (PMERL) framework offer communities a platform to express their views, ensuring our interventions remain contextually appropriate.
PMERL for community-based adaptation
SomReP’s Third-Party Monitoring
To strengthen our promise of accountability, SomReP collaborates with Third Party Monitoring (TPM) agencies. These independent entities meticulously evaluate and assess our interventions, providing unbiased insights and recommendations. This external oversight not only strengthens our programmatic efficacy, but, also reinforces trust within the communities we serve. By ensuring that our operations stand up to external scrutiny, we reiterate our commitment to transparency, effectiveness, and the highest standards of humanitarian programming.
Implementing Partner & Technical Unit Oversight
Regular and joint monitoring visits conducted by our Technical Unit and partner agencies, in collaboration with government personnel solidify our commitment to accountability. These visits, integral to our program's success, serve a multi-faceted role. First, they provide an objective assessment, contrasting planned activities with actual implementation. This allows for the identification of any discrepancies early on. Second, they establish a direct, open communication line between our project teams and beneficiary communities. This active dialogue ensures feedback is promptly addressed, fostering mutual trust and collaboration. Moreover, these on-the-ground evaluations provide opportunities for real-time modifications to interventions, ensuring proactive engagement and adaptive management.
Our FSL team in Hudur meets with EWEA committee in Weerow
SomReP’s Accountability with Leadership
The SomReP’s overall leadership is provided by the Steering Committee, made up of members’ Country Directors. The Steering Committee meets quarterly to ensure strict compliance and accountability of partners. In addition, effective coordination and program oversight are achieved principally through SomReP’s Donor Advisory Group (DAG) who meet quarterly to consult, and receive reports and key updates from the SomReP consortium.
SomReP Governance & Structure
Conclusion
Having operated in Somalia for over a decade, we understand the weight of the responsibility we shoulder to ensure accountability, transparency, and most importantly, effectiveness in our mission. Our resolve is unshakeable - to serve, uplift, and empower every beneficiary we serve.