Introducing the CDAC Network

What Is Communicating with Communities? ‘People need information as much as water, food, medicine or shelter.’ - IFRC, 2005 Kathmandu, Nepal. 28 th April 2005

Why a Network Growing recognition in mid 2000s of importance of communication in humanitarian responses; Largely absent from planning, coordination and integration into responses; A need for a network bringing together humanitarian, communication and other relevant actors.

Who is the CDAC Network? The CDAC Network was founded in 2009 by a group of UN, INGO and media development organisations to facilitate collective work on making communications with communities an integral part of disaster response Research Organisations INGOs Media Development Agencies Inter-governmental Agencies Service Networks

What Does the CDAC Network Do? The CDAC Network’s vision is of people affected by crisis being well informed and actively communicating with those responding to the crisis, thereby taking ownership of decisions about their future as well as the relief efforts in their country. The CDAC Network’s purpose is to position two-way communication with affected people at the heart of resilience-building, preparedness and response.

CDAC Network…. Convenes Members focus on how partnerships, particularly with media development organisations, telecoms companies and technology providers, can deliver effective and appropriate outcomes Events (eg, Annual Forum) Partnership training Brokering 101 seminars & #CDACLearns CDAC Network websitewebsite CDAC Network Media and Tech Fair, 2012

CDAC Network…. does Research and Learning To advance collective learning and build an evidence base, the Network focuses on research. The Network has: Carried out learning reviews of collective communication efforts Collated case studies Developed an online library of relevant literature Showcased interesting initiatives at events for members Current research in Nepal & migration crisis

CDAC Network... Strengthens Capacity Runs 101 workshops on things like social media & humanitarian financing Has set up a roster of deployable experts for agencies needing support in crises (w/ NORCAP)roster Has developed a Foundation Training on CwC Is implementing a preparedness programme in S Sudan and Bangladesh (the DEPP) Develops common tools (comms needs assessment guidance; Message Library)comms needs assessment guidance Message Library

CDAC Network… Advocates The Network and its members advocate for the development of communication with communities as a predictable, consistent and properly funded aspect of preparedness, response and recovery. Produces core materials for members Influences high level processes eg, World Humanitarian Summit; CHS; ETC2020 Speaks at and hosts events Makes its best case by doing

CDAC Network…. Supports Members in Major Emergencies Produces daily updates Advocates with donors on behalf of members Supports coordination Produces useful tools, eg the Message Library in the right languages Produces Media Landscape Guides

CDAC Network: What Next? Delivering CwC as part of DRR and preparedness in Bangladesh and South Sudan (DEPP) Reviewing Network strategy to lay foundation for the next 5 years Rolling out CwC training to organisations across the globe Formal launch of Humanitarian Communication Roster Research in Nepal (following the earthquake) and to look at the refugree and migration crisis Developing and delivering second generation Media Landscape GuidesMedia Landscape Guides

BBC Media Action Humanitarian Response & Preparedness Work - Past 3 years 2015Myanmar - Flooding Nepal - Earthquake 2014West Africa - Ebola Gaza - Conflict 2013Bangladesh + Myanmar Cyclone Mahasen Lebanon + Jordan Syrian Refugees India - Cyclone Phailin Preparation for Lifeline: Capacity Strengthening: Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Somalia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Indonesia, Tanzania

Outstanding Challenges Research in this field still relatively limited Evidence of impact of communication interventions, and which kind of communication interventions work best in which situations, is lacking The principle of embedding communication in humanitarian responses still needs to be defended. Coordination and locus of responsibility is still not always clear.