Somali political apathy - survey

Women in the community were among those surveyed

Somali people living in Newport have little interest in Welsh and UK politics, according to a survey.

The Newport Somali Association carried out a fact-finding mission on the services needed by Somalis in the city.

The findings showed major political apathy with many claiming they did not have enough knowledge to judge if the Welsh assembly was trustworthy.

Of the 55% questioned who were eligible to vote, none had taken part in assembly elections.

The survey also showed there were translation issues as well as issues over the provision of health and religion to women in the community.

It has become clear that we needed to get some base line date of what the community needs Omar Ali

The Newport Somali Association carried out the survey in 37 households.

It was aimed at identifying specific needs of Somalis in order to encourage integration of the community with wider society.

Omar Ali, who co-ordinated the project, said the survey was undertaken in order to provide evidence to the Welsh assembly government and other bodies of the services needed by the Somali community.

"It has become clear that we needed to get some base line date of what the community needs," he said.

Somali householders in the city were surveyed about their views on services on offer, religious and cultural matters, their local area and any problems associated with it, politics and education among others.

"From this we were able to conclude that there are several areas where there needs to be change," said Mr Ali.

These include information about all services on offer to be made available in Somali and English.

People were asked their views on politics and local services

Other recommendations included better health provision for women in the community as well as more in depth audits about women and their needs.

"These are the initial findings but we hope we can take these goals on," added Mr Ali.

Jane Hutt, Equalities Minister for the assembly government, will receive the findings of the report at an event being held in Newport on Thursday.

"There is a lack of evidence about the particular needs and issues facing our minority communities in Wales," she said.

"This is a difficulty that those responsible for strategic planning come across regularly and it is a concern for me as equalities minister, because it has an impact on our ability to plan services to meet those needs effectively.

"This report from the Somali community in Newport is an important contribution to our evidence base.

"I know that it will provide vital information for the Somali community itself, as well as for local service providers."