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Community Engagement & Humanitarian Partnerships Newsletter, Southern & Eastern Africa - March 2017

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World
+ 6 more
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OCHA
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This bi-monthly update brings together innovative policy, practice and partnerships from the Southern and Eastern African region that aim to strengthen the engagement of disaster-affected communities in humanitarian action. The aim of the publication is to create awareness about these initiatives and share good practice. Readers are encouraged to forward this email through their own networks and to share their contributions.

South Sudan: How sunshine is bringing radio to remote parts of South Sudan

In South Sudan, most people rely on radio to get information. But limited access to power means entire communities are left in information darkness for days at a time, especially in remote areas. One man is turning to the sun to change that. More

Kenya: Peaceful Coexistence: Media Outreach and Mass Awareness in Kalobeyei

FilmAid is producing docu-dramas targeting refugees and host communities using film to support delivery of key messages on peaceful co-existence in Kalobeyei, Turkana County. Community engagement and outreach is paramount to maintaining peace in the area. More

Madagascar: Involving communities in program planning and design process

Despite its best efforts to include all community members in its programs, the Malagasy Red Cross noticed that many groups were still being underrepresented in community decision-making processes. A pilot project was initiated as part of an ongoing programme in Fanamby, to create a more contemporary and equitable system of participation and decision-making. More

Lesotho: Women don't just raise poultry; they also spread hope and care for children at-risk

It started as a savings group that grew into an income-generating venture through a poultry project. Now, it is not only making profit for its members but provides care for children at-risk. More

Rwanda/Burundi: Training teams on Mobile Cinema for community engagement

When Rwanda and Burundi Red Cross Societies decided to implement mobile cinemas and regular radio chat shows, the National Societies, with support from the IFRC, developed four-day training courses for each activity. More

Partnerships: Kenya Red Cross Society and Kenya Private Sector Alliance hold key workshop on Disaster Risk Management

In February 2017, the Kenya Red Cross Society and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance held a workshop to explore practical and effective mechanisms in reducing and managing disasters in Kenya. More

Partnerships: Read the the latest Humanitarian Private Sector Partnership Platform (HPPP) Newflash highlighting private sector engagement in various activities. More

Other Reports

Putting People First-Community Engagement in Humanitarian Practice: The P-FIM methodology is advocating for a starting point with people and communities, not projects or agencies.

“Radio has the potential to play a far more immediate role in emergency response situations”: Radio plays a vital part in relaying information in crisis such as extreme weather, epidemic or conflict, displaced population to foster recover.

Blog: “We’ve Opened Pandora’s Box!” Responding to Unsolicited Feedback: The blog addresses the practical challenges related to analyzing, responding to, and utilizing open-ended feedback from communities.

South Sudan Journalists Trained In Conflict Sensitive Reporting: A three-day training, under the Communicating with Communities project by UNESCO/UNDP equipped journalists with conflict sensitive reporting skills to promote peace building.

Blog: Stop saying you want to give voice to the voiceless!: Isn’t it ridiculous to think that we (humanitarians) have the power to give people a voice, as if our inability to listen defines their ability to speak?

RADIO ACTIVE! The story of interactive radio in Africa: Radio stations across the continent are involving people in exciting discussions that matter to them.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.