Communicating with Disaster Affected Communities (CDAC)

CDAC uses various information and communication methods in an effort to act as a source of expertise and advice, a community of practice, and an advocacy platform that aims at ensuring that the humanitarian sector mainstreams CDAC, and that local media play a role in maximising aid effectiveness, accountability, and transparency to affected communities. The CDAC network in Haiti includes experts in radio, mass media, SMS (text messaging), web based and non-mass-media communications, public information officers, and journalists, both local and international.

CDAC in Haiti, working through member organisations funded by different donors, has - for example:

• Provided a coordinated service to disseminate information, including explaining food distribution systems, publicising vaccination campaigns and cash-for-work programs, etc, to various organisations - shared, in part, through in-person meetings;
• Provided a daily humanitarian radio show produced by Internews in Creole called Enfomasyon nou dwe Konnen (ENDK) (News You Can Use) - broadcast across 25 radio stations.
• Carried out needs assessments of local media and provided emergency assistance;
• Coordinated the distribution of 12,000 wind-up radios donated by the United States (US) government;
• Provided advice and materials to camp leaders on information campaigns around relocation.
• Established a media centre for local journalists.
• Offered advice on working with local media, including audience research and contacts for local stations, journalist associations, and telecoms providers.
• Coordinated and provided advice to technical advice to major humanitarian outreach campaigns.
• Conducted audience research and mapping, including of non-mass media information channels.
• Established feedback, public opinion, and focus group mechanisms on issues relating to recovery and reconstruction and channeling of findings back to humanitarian responders.
• Organised weekly meetings to discuss and coordinate ongoing outreach initiatives and needs.
• Provided support for development of longer-term outreach and communications work including soap operas, on-air psychosocial work, etc.
• Developed working relationships with local media and communications service providers.

Further details are available on the CDAC website.

Risk Management, Health.