Volunteer Partners Donate      

This blogpost serves to draw attention to a few of the many issues raised in a recent assessment of the communications and information needs of the population of Dadaab Refugee Camps, Northeastern Kenya. The needs assessment was published by Internews in collaboration with other actors (for full details see http://www.internews.org/pubs/kenya/Dadaab2011-09-14.pdf). The following is not intended as a comprehensive summary or critique of the document which covers a variety of topics. Rather, it is my intention to address a few of the many issues raised by this research paper and point out where VOA’s proposed DadaabNet project can contribute. DadaabNet will be comprised of three key elements: a wireless intranet with free educational and information content; an internal communications system for refugees and aid workers; and low cost internet access.

Naturally the Internews report was of great interest, given the nature of VOA’s work and our mission to start the DadaabNet ICT project. Its subject is one which has arguably not received sufficient attention until now – inadequate information dissemination continues to be a problem despite the protracted nature of camp residents’ displacement. Perhaps unsurprisingly this study revealed that there are substantial gaps in information and communication systems and networks throughout all sectors of the large, complex human settlement at Dadaab where an array of different institutions and actors are at work. Communication links between different aid agencies and between those agencies and camp residents could certainly be improved. Encouragingly, the gaps identified can be closed and are consistent with the proposed DadaabNet project. The report confirms the real and urgent need for improved communications at the world’s largest refugee camp.

One cannot overstate the importance of reliable, consistent flows of information to refugees’ survival and welfare. Without access to credible, accurate information on their entitlements or clear instructions on the location and timing of distributions, refugees are left vulnerable. The study supports a relationship between poor communications capacity and vulnerability among new arrivals and long-term residents. Evidently there is scope for improvement and, as the camps have already been in place for 20 years, action on improving communications should be considered urgent. Fortunately, there is currently a high level of interest in improving ICTs for Dadaab. Moreover, there are technologies which can be installed quickly and projects that can be implemented within short time periods could make a real and lasting impact. In theory, after the initial investment in equipment and community training, the technologies and services provided through DadaabNet can be sustained effectively, as a youth-run internet service and education provider.

Communications between NGOs and camp-residents

A perennial criticism of international aid providers is that they do not adequately take into account the wishes of their ‘beneficiaries’. Feedback mechanisms have proven to be lacking and at times the aid delivered is either inappropriate or insufficient to meet requirements. Innovative use of ICTs could certainly help with monitoring and evaluation which in turn should contribute to improved targeting and delivery of assistance. Smart phones can be used to collect and update data in real-time; in principle this should make aid delivery more responsive to changing needs in a dynamic, fluid setting. Communications technology has the potential make aid a discursive, collaborative process rather than the imposed application of technical solutions to the ‘pathology’ of human suffering.  Being able to submit unsolicited (anonymous) feedback to NGO providers may also contribute to the development of programmes that are better-tailored to refugees’ requirements. Maintaining two-way communications between aid providers and recipients is vital to the smooth running of any humanitarian situation. It is conceivable that there may be something of a social void between INGO-workers and the average refugee family; lack of mutual understanding can often lead to mistrust which is prohibitive to real progress. Community-led initiatives are often those with the potential to create positive momentum. One remarkable finding of the study is that: “humanitarian workers, government officials, along with Kenyan army and police, rank the lowest as sources of information for refu¬gees, both for new arrivals and long term residents.” Evidently, there is a communications breakdown. The groups of people listed are those explicitly charged with the welfare of refugees. Establishing and maintaining mutually agreeable, two-way communication systems to facilitate productive dialogue between camp residents and humanitarian workers should be a central feature of proposed ICT projects in Dadaab.

 

Communications between camp residents

Another obvious gap in communications in the camps is the paucity of media content created by the people of Dadaab for the people of Dadaab. With the DadaabNet system in place, the youth will have the opportunity to create and upload written, audio and video content. Using flipcams, voice recorders and netbooks, young Dadaabians will be encouraged to create articles, spoken reports and videos about issues that affect their lives. While the development of factual content is critical, equally these media could be used for expressive arts and creative ventures. Merely providing technology will be insufficient; training and mentorship will be important elements of any well-considered ICT project. Motivated individuals will be encouraged to use the infrastructure and services available to their full potential.

On more personal and social levels, the camp residents will be able to create and develop networks within the DadaabNet system. Existing social connections can be complemented by the introduction of improved ICT.

 

Communications between the camps and the ‘outside world’

Factual content produced by camp residents should also play a role in dispersing information about the camps to the outside world. Allowing Dadaabians to create their own media will be empowering as participants will assume responsibility for sharing their story with the world, rather than simply being the ‘object’ of media attention during times of acute crisis. In the international [Western] media, too much emphasis has been placed on refugee vulnerability and little filters through about their agency and ingenuity in the face of adversity. These people should be afforded the opportunity to be instrumental in the process of relating their situation to outsiders. The negative imagery and rhetoric associated with mainstream portrayals of displaced populations can be damaging, not least during conditions of drought and famine. DadaabNet aims to give the people of Dadaab the chance to react to this portrayal in whatever way they see fit.

 

Communications with the diaspora and people in Somalia

Social and kinship groups are important to peoples throughout the world. The importance of such networks is particularly pronounced among Somali people. Often refugees in the camps maintain active relationships with relatives in Somalia, those settled elsewhere in Kenya and those overseas. These relationships can provide social safety nets to vulnerable people during times of acute need. Often social connections can literally save lives. Complementing existing connections and offering the possibility of re-establishing relationships and creating new ones could prove valuable to the marginal livelihoods of some refugees at Dadaab. Transnational networks already exist among the Somali people; these can be strengthened maintained through the facilitation of improved access to ICTs.

 

Conclusions

At present there are insufficient local platforms to improve ICT inside the camps at Dadaab. There is an obvious need to improve this situation as a majority of refugees still feel that they receive insufficient information. On an optimistic note, with concerted effort the information and communications situation at Dadaab could be drastically improved within a relatively short timescale. As the Internews report states: “here are clear opportunities to make a major impact on humanitarian communications in Dadaab, and the skills and awareness on the ground to do it”.  Though this post did not cover this topic, the Internews report recommends the establishment of a local radio station. This is an excellent idea as radio is the most accessed information source among refuges. However, it is equally important to note that a radio station alone will not be sufficient to meet all information and communications needs. Therefore, projects such as DadaabNet which promote access to information and education through ICTs can be complementary to other public information initiatives. A whole suite of strategies will need to be employed to fill the gaps and in the short-term, pilot projects such as the DadaabNet: Hagadera Pilot (proposal available on request from andrew.mckay@voicesofafrica.org) should be supported in order to ascertain exactly how ICT projects can work best for the refugee community at Dadaab. Thereafter, programs can be designed accordingly for wider implementation. It is too easy to concentrate on the vulnerability of refugees at Dadaab and it is important to realise that providing food, shelter, sanitation and basic education and health services is not enough. Providing adequate communications should be considered an integral part of an effective and accountable humanitarian system. Improved ICTs could open up a world of possibilities that weren’t previously accessible to the population of Dadaab. Options for employment and self-employment can be improved through ICT skills training. Better ICTs can contribute to refugees’ ability to engage in debate, be instrumental in producing their own media and active in determining their own fate. It is conceivable that improving ICTs in Dadaab could dramatically change the social and societal functioning of the camps and hopefully provide an arena in which camp residents can experience some level of autonomy. Hopefully, the Internews report will have positive repercussions and fresh energy will be directed to improving information and communications within the camps. There is clear potential to improve the quality of people’s lives in this way, so let us hope that the institutional decision-makers for Dadaab pay heed to the Internews needs assessment, from which I conclude with a quote:
“Affected populations need to be able to access timely, accurate and well-targeted life-saving information. They have the right to know what is happening, and what services are available for them; they have a right to ask questions and get answers, and therefore become active agents in their own relief and recovery.”