Guidance note: Using the drought messages - Afghanistan Communicating with Communities sub-Working Group | AAP Working Group

These messages are the result of good practice for communicating more effectively with communities and are meant to provide information that could help crisis-affected people in Afghanistan cope with the drought. The messages are based, in part, on a REACH rapid assessment that asked people what information needs they had regarding drought and other natural disasters. They then were written in close collaboration with clusters and technical experts in the National Disaster Management Authority. After drafts were completed, the messages were tested with a group of Afghans and adjusted according to feedback given. Many of the messages are good in many different situations – not just during drought. The messages are posted on the Afghanistan AAP WG page on humanitarianresponse.info for clusters and organisations to download and use whenever they might be helpful.

Below are tips on how clusters and organisations can use the messages to support crisis-affected people impacted by the drought in Afghanistan.

• The CwC recommends using the WASH drought messages first as they contain useful information on ways to save water. We then advise sharing additional information where appropriate.
• If needed, adapt messages and the Dari-Pashto translation to the context of the communities where they will be shared.
• It always is important to keep expectations realistic about the availability of humanitarian services. This is especially true in the current circumstances, when so many organisations have reduced or paused operations.
• Listen to people’s concerns, give them information, and then spend more time talking with them to answer their questions. If you do not know have answers, tell them you don’t know. Being honest with people builds trust. If you say you will try to find answers – and then return to tell them what you learned.
• Show empathy as people talk. Empathy means you understand what people are saying and the emotions they are experiencing and can see their reactions and beliefs from their perspective – even if you don’t agree with them. You can show empathy by nodding or repeating back to them what they said.
• It is best for men to talk to men and women to talk to women. Follow that practice with your staff if local conditions allow.
• Follow safe data protection provisions. If you take notes, don’t write down people’s full or real names. Record their sex, age, province/district and need, concern, rumour or request for humanitarian assistance information. Give your notes only to the designated person in your organisation. Feedback and questions can be called in to the Awaaz-410 telephone helpline.