Niger crisis: empowering communities through effective communication and engagement

Key considerations and priorities for responders

Ouallam displacement camp, Tillabéri region, Niger, 2022. Photo: OCHA/Laura Fultang

On 26 July 2023, a military junta seized power in Niger with a coup d’état, drawing global condemnation. In response, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) imposed sanctions, restricting trade, banking and borders, intensifying existing humanitarian needs. With an impending rainy season and the potential for further military intervention, effective communication, community engagement and accountability (CCEA) are a lifeline for people in Niger.

As the situation continues to unfold in Niger, CDAC Network recommends the following key considerations and priorities for responders to meet the growing CCEA needs of affected people.

Key priorities

People need actionable information to make well-informed decisions now

• Communicate clear, actionable information on critical topics to support people to manage their daily lives. Work with other sectors to get the messaging right.

• This information should be accessible and shared using people’s preferred formats, channels and languages, including local languages. Written and spoken information in French is likely to be inaccessible to the majority of the affected population.

• Work with diverse and trusted local actors to disseminate messages widely, including in hard-to-reach communities.

Use the channels that people use and trust the most

• Prioritise community radio as a means to disseminate accurate information to communities, while also understanding and mapping the full spectrum of channels that people use.

• Engage with messaging and social media channels by pushing key messaging and occupying the social media landscape, particularly in local languages.

Counter mis- and disinformation with collective monitoring and consistent, accurate information

• Enhance collaboration with media and media development actors to verify and circulate fact-checked humanitarian information via online media and radio. To support this, develop key messages on humanitarian actors and activities in local languages.

• Refer to analyses of communication channels and be prepared to monitor rumours in multiple languages.

• Ensure a cycle of listening and conversation to identify rumours; verifying and triangulating facts; and engaging with communities to share verified information. Building on existing and trusted relationships is key.