In January 2012, a pilot communication project was implemented with Save the Children in Somalia aimed at enhancing dialogue with IDPs and host communities, as well as improving access to timely, relevant, and practical information was implemented. The project involved: enhancing the role of community mobilisers through the introduction of systematic feedback forms and the dissemination of coordinated key messages, the establishment of a staffed hotline for IDPs, the sponsorship of a weekly interactive radio programme and the creation of women's listening groups.

1. Save the Children project
Puntland, Somalia
http://www.infoasaid.org

2. Bossasso, Somalia
Source: http://www.openstreetmap.org/
Source: http://www.openstreetmap.org/
Source: http://www.openstreetmap.org/
Source: http://www.openstreetmap.org/

3. Situation Analysis
• Save the Children Somalia (SCiSOM) has worked in
Puntland since 2005.
• Due to the relative stability and peace in north eastern
Somalia, a large number of Internally Displaced People
(IDPs) have settled in and around major towns in
Puntland, namely north Galkayo, Garowe, Qardho and
Bossasso.
• SCiSOM assists beneficiaries living in IDP settlements and
host communities in Bossasso with health, WASH and
nutrition programmes for young children and pregnant
and lactating women.
infoasaid for Save the Children – October 2012

4. A Save the Children supported health clinic in
Balade IDP camp on the outskirts of Bossasso.
Photo: Miranda Eeles/infoasaid

5. Mothers waiting to get their children assessed at a Save the
Children supported nutrition centre in Bossasso.
Photo: Miranda Eeles/infoasaid

6. Staff at a Save the Children supported Health centre in
Bossasso attending to a mother who’s child is malnourished.
Photo: Miranda Eeles/infoasaid

7. Communication Challenges
• Community mobilisers were employed to disseminate
information and raise awareness about SCiSOM’s
programmes in IDP camps. However, programmes
operated in silos and there was little coordination
regarding key messages to disseminate.
• Most information was exchanged in face-to-face meetings
with little use of mass media.
• SCiSOM did not have any systematic feedback systems in
place.
• Radio ownership rates were very low for women in the
IDP camps.
infoasaid for Save the Children – October 2012

8. Proposed Project
• Overall goal:
o To improve the quality (relevance/appropriateness,
coverage, efficiency and effectiveness) of Save the
Children’s humanitarian assistance in Somalia.
• Three objectives:
1. To provide IDPs with timely, relevant and practical
information via a weekly interactive radio programme.
2. To improve engagement with communities by
enhancing the role of community mobilisers with
systematic feedback forms and the dissemination of
coordinated key messages.
3. To enable IDPs to communicate directly with SCiSom
via a hotline.
infoasaid for Save the Children – October 2012

9. Proposed Project
• Three interventions:
1. Enhanced role of community health workers with
improved coordination, training in key message
development, and systematic use of feedback
forms.
2. Sponsorship of a weekly 30-minute magazine and
phone-in programme for women related to health,
nutrition and child welfare.
3. Creation of a staffed hotline providing advice and
information on nutrition and maternal and child
health issues for IDPs.
infoasaid for Save the Children – October 2012

10. Proposed Project
• Seven activities:
1. Recruitment of a communication officer responsible
for implementing the pilot.
2. Sponsorship of a weekly interactive radio programme
on Daljir FM.
3. Distribution of 150 radios to women’s groups in IDP
camps.
4. Establishment of a telephone hotline providing
information on maternal and child health and
nutrition issues for IDPs.
5. Training of staff responsible for manning hotline and
publicize number widely in target areas.
6. Design of feedback forms and training of community
mobilizers.
7. Capture of learning from pilot project.
infoasaid for Save the Children – October 2012

11. Ferdosa Abdi Mohamad, a refugee from Ethiopia,
sits on the Balade Camp Committee. She says very
few households in the camp have access to a radio.
Photo: Miranda Eeles/infoasaid

12. Expected Outcomes
• Greater coordination and dissemination of key messages
by SCiSOM’s community mobilisers to IDP
communities.
• SCiSOM responds faster to emerging problems due to
improved two-way information flows.
• Women in IDP camps are better informed about health
and nutrition issues.
• Women in IDP camps feel they are able to communicate
their questions, concerns or complaints to SCiSOM.
infoasaid for Save the Children – October 2012

13. Timeframe
October 2011 Jan 2012 Sept 2012 Nov 2012
infoasaid
Scoping trip
Training SCiCOM
infoasaid
Implementation Accountability
Review
Assessment
infoasaid for Save the Children – October 2012

14. Thank you for your attention !
International Rescue Committee, Somalia
ActionAid in Isiolo, Kenya
Read More
Save the Children in Wajir, Kenya
World Vision in Voi, Kenya
http://www.infoasaid.org