Poverty Dimensions and People’s Perception in Pastoral Areas of Marodijeh Region, Somaliland

Abstract

Poverty remains one of the most challenging problems in many developing countries particularly Somaliland. 60-65% of Somaliland citizens depend on livestock and its derivatives produced by pastoralists. Their poverty levels are largely unknown due to limited researches on poverty in these areas. A primary data from 161 sample households, 12 key informant interviewees and secondary data as a literature review were used. Poverty line constructed on CBN approach FGTs poverty dimensions revealed 40.9% of sampled households were under poverty line whilst poverty gap and severity were found to be 0.103 and 0.044 respectively. With the threshold $1.36 per day per AE and $489.6 per year per AE. At international $1.9 poverty line poverty head count, gap, and severity stood at 54%, 21%, and 10%. From community perspective, only 22% of sampled households deemed themselves to be poor. Poverty indices are higher compared to the rest of the country and the region in general.

Keywords: Marodijeh, Poverty, Pastoralist, adult equivalent.