IMPACT OF CONFLICT IN YEMEN ON SOCIAL PERFORMANCE OF MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS IN THE CAPITAL SECRETARIAT
OSAMA Lutf AL-ANSI
2020
ABSTRACT
The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the impact of 2015 contemporary conflict in Yemen on social performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Yemen. It covered the period from 2014 to 2018 and the geographical area for the study was the capital secretariat of Yemen, Sanaa. The descriptive-analytical study adopted mixed research approach and was conducted on 100 staff members of targeted MFIs through intentional sampling. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaire while secondary data were gathered from books, Microfinance Institutions Websites, annual reports, Social Fund for Development (SFD) annual reports, Yemen Microfinance Network (YMN), etc. Collected data sets were analyzed by SPSS-24 software.
The findings indicated that there was a negative impact of conflict in Yemen on MFI’s social performance in the capital secretariat. This negative impact varied on the following dimensions of MFI’s social performance: Social Mission, Outreach, Clients, Information Transparency and Consumer Protection, Association with the Community, and Labor. The most dimension affected by the conflict was the Social Mission dimension, followed by the Labor and the Association with the Community Dimensions. Meanwhile, the Clients and the Information Transparency & Consumer Protection dimensions were the least affected dimensions by the conflict.
Moreover, the study findings showed there were evidences of understanding and commitment to institutional mission presented at all levels of staff of the MFI’s work, ideals of transparency and consumer protection are govern the actions of MFIs, MFIs fairly maintain positive relations and strive to improve communities, and finally, Microfinance institutions strive to develop their human resources and maintain active communication with staff. However, the study revealed the fact that both of Women and Poor of the Poorest segments were not given preference when applying for microfinance services which goes against the core objectives of microfinance.
Keywords:
Microfinance, Social Performance, Conflict.__
