The state of communication, community engagement and accountability in the Horn of Africa drought response: a snapshot report for Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia
Women and children walking through strong wind in Sagalo village in the Somali region of Ethiopia, January 2022. Photo: UNICEF Ethiopia/Mulugeta Ayene.
The Horn of Africa region is experiencing one of the worst droughts in recent decades, triggered by consecutive failed rainy seasons. An estimated 36.4 million people are affected across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, and in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance. In a crisis of this magnitude, all affected people require information to make important decisions on issues that impact their lives and livelihoods. Yet information provision and continuous dialogue with communities can be the weakest link in complex humanitarian responses.
CDAC Network conducted a regional analysis in December 2022–May 2023 on the state of communication, community engagement and accountability (CCEA) in the Horn of Africa drought response. The report is based on key informant interviews with humanitarian actors and spotlights the key challenges and opportunities for collective approaches to accelerate CCEA. Initial conclusions were validated and further contextualised through a series of multi-stakeholder workshops held in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, and endorsed by regional and country coordination structures.
Key findings
Collective approaches do exist, but they are fragmented, not widely known and selectively utilised by implementing organisations. There is still a high preference for individualised, organisation-specific approaches to CCEA.
There are critical gaps around data collection, analysis, sharing and access within and between agencies. There is plenty of feedback and information, but data is not adequately used to inform decision-making.
Information provision is inadequate and largely one-way. There is an emphasis on collecting information from communities and not necessarily sharing information or analysis with them.
Referral pathways for complaints and feedback mechanisms (CFMs) are not systematically rolled out and CFMs do not speak to each other, creating confusion among people in need.
Language and translation must be prioritised as entry points to include all affected people.
Marginalised groups, including the many affected communities in hard-to-reach areas, need specific, tailored CCEA initiatives.
The lack of systematic engagement with diverse CCEA actors and stakeholders hinders speed, coverage and support for effective CCEA.
Community engagement is often overlooked in programme design, leading to ad hoc CCEA uptake during implementation.
Coordination and delivery of CCEA initiatives are fragmented by gaps in technical capacities among organisations and partners.
