Increasing Inclusion in Somalia

In recent months, the collaborative efforts between the PSEA Network and UNICEF in Somalia, promoting the Loop short code free number through a radio program, have significantly increased the engagement of minority groups with Loop. At the beginning of August, the radio announcements spurred a surge in awareness, resulting in over 1300 feedback pieces within two weeks, and this momentum continued even after the awareness campaign concluded. Word of mouth, known for its rapid dissemination in Somalia, played a pivotal role in extending information about Loop and the short code number, receiving reports from diverse regions, including prisons.

The radio announcements not only led to a general increase in feedback but also prompted sensitive reporting. In August, sensitive cases included aid diversion (9), sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) (4), and gender-based violence (GBV), including rape (5). Similar reports persisted in September, with approximately 400 calls per week, driven by word of mouth.

September witnessed three key trends, particularly focused on gender-based violence, highlighting significant risks, especially related to sexual violence. Some women, fearing further harm and discrimination, hesitated to seek assistance from healthcare providers. Loop facilitated referrals to nearby actors, with noted responsiveness in services.

Effective communication of basic project information to communities emerged as a critical necessity. Many individuals expressed surprise at the cessation of cash payments, uncertain whether it was fraud or the natural end of the project.

Ensuring the inclusion of people with disabilities and minority groups on beneficiary lists remained an essential investment, requiring not only identification but also efficient referral pathways for effective inclusion.

Continuous referrals for assistance and weekly follow-ups with community members who issued reports and organizations providing assistance demonstrate Loop's commitment to ongoing support. At Loop, we recognize the transformative power of awareness-raising in providing Minority Communities with a communication channel to voice their concerns, make reports, and receive assistance. The robust promotion in early August underscored the pressing need for an independent service to these communities. With your support, we are steadily achieving milestones in this journey, striving to reach more communities. Thank you!

Links:

• Somalia Trends and Analysis August 2023

We are looking to strengthen our partnerships with the local organisations that have partnered with us to make our mission possible in  Somalia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Poland/Ukraine!

As we enter the second semester of our third year of operation we celebrate our team, our partners and our global supporters for helping us get this far. Loop 'flips the script' by putting the power to speak in the hands and voices of affected people, without any of the limitations, biases, or dangers of more conventional feedback processes delivered by Governments or aid organisations bilaterally. We 'Make All Our Voices Count' by putting people and their experiences at the centre of the accountability platform, rather than those with funding, power and deliverables. 

Our mission speaks of a shift in power from organisations to communities and people.

Loop enables people in communities to feedback about humanitarian services they receive, freely, safely, and independently, in their own language. Loop uses simple technology and multiple access (SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger, web, and voice) to break down language and digital divides.

Launched in Zambia 2021, Loop also operates in Somalia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Poland/Ukraine.

To this day, Loop has received 3.891 pieces of feedback, the majority from women from living in the six countries we have currently operations in. We have sent 1.479 replies, 19% of them have come from some of the 538 organisations using our platform.  During this time we have registered 135 sensitive cases and have done our best to transform this data recollecting process into a tool that can enable fast and informed changes within the global humanitarian sector and empower communities with high social fragility to shape the quality of services they receive.

Loop has become a transformative  tool because it reimagines accountability:

• A remote tool for communities to self-initiate feedback. 
• Independent and neutral: people feedback about what's important to them.
• Reduces duplication/confusion about where to give feedback, but compliments other feedback tools to give people choices. 
• Meets global best practice standards and donor requirements for feedback, M&E, complaints, and SEAH reporting.
• No internet connection required: Loop services are accessible by phone. Individuals in communities can safely use Loop on a shared phone, and there are no network costs. 
• Responds to messages in near real-time
• Safe reporting of sensitive topics: users can remain anonymous and choose what data they share.

Loop is unique: a global public good enabling greater information sharing and agency across humanitarian/development action.

On behalf of our global team we thank you for your valuable support. We will come back shortly with other opportunities for you to join forces with us in the global challenge of power redistribution.