IOM CwC Community Engagement Videos

The Communications with Communities (CwC) of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) - Iraq Mission is producing a series of 15 community engagement videos, as well as radio announcements, to raise awareness among displaced Iraqis on disease prevention, safety issues, and other important concerns faced daily by vulnerable communities. The videos are designed to train staff and raise awareness among internally displaced people (IDPs) living inside and out of camps, especially those affected by the Mosul displacement. (As of December 6 2016, more than 82,000 people had been displaced by ongoing Mosul military operations since October 17 2016, according to IOM Iraq's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Emergency Tracking. This figure represents an increase of more than 4,200 individuals in a 4-day period (since 2 December).)

The videos are funded by the European Union's Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO) through the IOM project "Integrated Emergency Response Programme to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable conflict-affected populations across Central Iraq". The work is based on the principle that information and communications are critical forms of humanitarian assistance. IOM Iraq Chief of Mission Thomas Lothar Weiss said: "Displaced Iraqis require a wide range of services, including non-food items, livelihoods support and healthcare - but they also need information - on safety precautions, camp management principles and means to access humanitarian assistance."

The tag line of the videos is: "Live safely, so you can return home safely." Topics are chosen through feedback received from IDPs, humanitarian organisations, and government agencies. The first video produced under this project encouraged beneficiaries of humanitarian assistance to contact the Interagency IDP Information Center and provide their feedback on assistance received. Another video offers training for setting up Emergency Shelter Kits (ESKs). Designed for new humanitarian staff and displaced people alike, it is meant to be a resource for public use. Other videos and radio announcements cover issues related to health (polio, scabies, cholera), waste management in IDP camps, electric and kerosene safety, water and electricity conservation, as well as protection concerns.

For example, considering that the risk of re-emergence of polio is a health concern in Iraq, the viewer of one of the videos (released November 20 2016) is introduced to Yousif, who is in the second grade. He explains that he has a lot of hobbies, such as football and playing with friends, and is seen watching others participate. He cannot take part due to his paralysis from polio, and is heard asking, "Why Daddy? Why Mommy? All it would have taken is TWO DROPS...and I would have been like the other kids." The viewer is instructed, "[r]est your conscience and protect your children from polio by oral vaccination. And to ensure the healthy future of your children, make sure they get all the vaccines listed in the national vaccine schedule."

The videos and radio announcements are aired on main television and radio channels in Iraq including Alsumaria TV, Baghdad TV, Al Iraqia FM, and Sumer FM. The videos are also being shared widely on social media, as many displaced Iraqis have access to the internet, especially those living outside camps. They are also used for training purposes by various organisations, including the Global Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Cluster, which is incorporating the videos in their standard training curriculum.

In the spirit of effective two-way communications, to solicit feedback from IDPs and other beneficiaries, IOM Iraq will implement surveys via social media and in community sessions to assess the project's viewing rates and message impact.