Paper short abstract:

Drawing on the transnational social fields theory and focusing on Somali businesswomen and female refugees in Zambia, this study explores how these two diaspora groups mobilize, channel and deliver humanitarian relief support during flash flood disasters in Qardho, Puntland State of Somalia.

Paper long abstract:

Diaspora engagement in providing humanitarian assistance in times of crisis is widely discussed. These studies have mainly focused on contributions from Western-based diaspora groups with little known about the role of diaspora women in humanitarianism within the African continent. Focusing on Somali businesswomen and female refuges in Zambia, this study explores how these two diaspora groups mobilize, channel and deliver humanitarian relief support during emergencies in Qardho, Puntland State of Somalia.

Drawing on the transnational social field's theory, I gathered and analyzed data from both the long-established Somali businesswomen and female refugees who arrived later in Zambia in the form of key informant interviews, focused group discussions and observations. I aimed to understand how these women led by the Guddomiso (female chair) mobilize, channel and deliver humanitarian relief support from Somalis in Zambia to Qardho in Puntland State of Somalia. The study also used archival research data to construct the history of the arrival of the Somali women in Zambia and the relationships they maintained over the years with Puntland, Somalia. Data was analyzed thematically.

The findings show that Somali diaspora women in Zambia use organizational structures to negotiate gender and power relations in the patriarchal setting of the Somali community. The study also revealed that the diaspora women, under the leadership of the Guddomiso, use existing transnational social networks and social media platforms to organise and mobilize for disasters in Puntland and in so doing enhance existing connections with recipient communities.