Philippines  - IOM is reaching out to local media in the areas of central Philippines worst hit by Typhoon Haiyan to provide affected communities with information about the humanitarian response. 

IOM has also conducted nine focus group discussions in centers for displaced persons across Tacloban to assess and respond to questions and concerns.

The concerns raised in the focus groups will serve as the basis for developing a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), to be answered by the local government.  The questions and answers will be circulated through various media such as flyers, banners, radio spots, and a comic-based newspaper for dissemination among affected communities.

“Facilitating two-way communication with crisis-affected populations not only allows aid organizations to better understand and respond to relevant needs but also gives the local community a voice in assessing the appropriateness and effectiveness of aid,” said IOM Communications Officer Amy Rhoades.  “Through these conversations, we have learned a great deal not just about general concerns but also specific needs of the elderly, children and youth, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities.”

In Tacloban, Rhoades and IOM News Editor Daryl Dano visited three local radio stations – the Philippine Information Agency’s Power FM, Radyo ng Bayan, and First Response Radio Tacloban – to inform listeners about the focus groups and IOM’s Communications with Communities (CwC) activities.  Both were also interviewed by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

“Often in emergency contexts, there is a dearth of reliable information available to affected populations,” noted Rhoades.  “This is both due to a loss of traditional channels of information such as TV and radio, and also to the widespread distortion of messages spread via word of mouth through rumors and exaggeration.  Providing current and reliable information is a critical form of aid to help affected communities access services and make informed decisions.”

In Guiuan, IOM Head of Hub Andrew Lind and Coordinator Rafael Abis participated in a live radio broadcast with Radyo Bakdaw to explain IOM’s role in providing shelter and humanitarian assistance.  Listeners in Eastern Samar submitted their questions via text message for inclusion in the Q&A segment of the broadcast.

“We thank the Internews-supported Radio Bakdaw for giving us the opportunity to share with their listeners about IOM and the work we’re doing in Guiuan,” Lind stated. “This program helps bridge the gap between communities and humanitarian organizations by allowing people to actively participate in their own relief and recovery.”

IOM is a member of the CwC Working Group, supported by UNOCHA, an emerging field of humanitarian response that seeks to meet the information and communications needs of people affected by crisis.

For more information, please contact:

Daryl Dano
IOM News Editor
Email: ddano@iom.int