In 2014, Coram International conducted an evaluation of one of Save the Children’s community-based child protection programmes, the ‘SCORE’ project in 2014, assessing its work amongst children living on the streets and in internal displacement in Hargeisa, Somaliland. The project was evaluated using an innovative ‘Children’ Measuring Change’ approach, which aimed to elicit the views and involvement of children in changes to their wellbeing. This was one of four projects piloting this method of evaluation for Save the Children. Coram International developed a methodology and study tools which were then used for data collection in Hargeisa. Following this, the data was analysed and compiled into an assessment report submitted to Save the Children in Somaliland to inform national and regional intervention strategies.
In 2014, Coram International conducted a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) study in Somaliland to gather baseline information to inform the Save the Children/NAGAAD partnership on ‘Protecting Girls from early and forced marriage’. This comprised the design and of a research methodology, training and supervision of national researchers, field research as well as the facilitation of a workshop on the draft report.
In 2013, Coram International conducted research on child protection in the context of drought and conflict in Somalia and Somaliland. The action-oriented purpose of the research was to inform the development of effective programming to protect children from neglect, violence, exploitation and abuse, and to respond to the needs of survivors. The specific objectives of the research were to:
- Assess existing coping strategies of communities in Somaliland, Puntland, Central and South Somalia relating to the effects of drought, conflict and child protection concerns.
- Document good practice in supporting community-based coping strategies and cultural approaches to respond to child protection concerns such as family separation, physical abuse, sexual violence, child recruitment, early/forced marriage and psychosocial distress.
- Propose strategies for strengthening coping mechanisms to ensure a durable and sustainable response to future emergencies as they affect children.
