Paper details

Paper authors	Eva Niederberger
In panel on	How to include marginalized groups in risk communication and community engagement
Paper presenter(s) will be presenting	In-Person / Online

Abstract

Collecting and using community feedback in humanitarian disasters is important. Numerous response actors use established and effective feedback mechanisms to understand concerns and perceptions of diverse community groups during an emergency response. However, understanding the needs of marginalised groups and populations most at risk requires more nuanced evidence. Data collected through applied and participatory social science research is vital to generate evidence that strengthens and complements the systematic documentation of community feedback; it reveals local vulnerabilities, social inequalities, power dynamics and how the humanitarian crisis affects people’s ability to protect themselves against the threat. For example, RCCE partners engaged in the COVID-19 response have conducted research to understand access to and perceptions of COVID-19 vaccination and how these factors interplay with traditional treatment seeking behaviour among rural indigenous population groups. Such evidence can contribute to inclusive RCCE strategies that are locally appropriate, adaptive, and accountable. It has been used to ensure that the voices of most vulnerable are listened to when response decisions are made that affects them. Such research is vital to build acceptance of and trust in the response and those who are responding.

Full participation of marginalised population groups in research requires dedicated funds, investment into local research capacity, understanding bias between ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’, appropriate language, and culturally meaningful concepts to translate ethical (research) standards and close feedback loops. Only then will communities really benefit from research findings and how they are being operationalised in the response.

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