DADAAB EMERGENCY RESPONSE. FilmAid s Response to Crisis in Dadaab April 4, Dadaab Emergency Response 1

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1 DADAAB EMERGENCY RESPONSE FilmAid s Response to Crisis in Dadaab April 4, 2012 Dadaab Emergency Response 1

2 DADAAB EMERGENCY In 2011 drought, famine and ongoing conflict in Somalia resulted in a huge influx of new refugees to the Dadaab refugee camp complex in northeastern Kenya. More than 150,000 new refugees were registered in Dadaab within a year, with arrival rates peaking at more than 1000 a day in July and August. With many refugees arriving in appalling physical and mental condition the situation called for a concerted emergency response. FilmAid s primary role in this effort was to provide vital lifesaving information for newly arrived refugees, relating to medical services, food distribution, refugee rights, security, shelter and other critical issues. I didn t know that water in the camp was free. Now I know you don t have to pay for it. - Noor Muhammad, 28, New Arrival, Ifo Reception Center By the time someone is leaving the screening they already understand their status and rights as a refugee. They re fully equipped with everything. - Isaac, Department of Refugee Affairs, Government of Kenya, Ifo Reception Center FILM PRODUCTION The specific needs resulting from the emergency situation in Dadaab required targeted content addressing the concerns of newly arrived refugees. A total of 15 new films were produced as part of the emergency response. These included films for screening at each of the three reception centers (Ifo, Dagahaley and Hagadera), a film for screening at the registration center, three films explaining the food distribution process (one for the three existing camps and one each for the new camps of Ifo Extension and Kambioos where the process differs) and films on WASH, cholera prevention and community self-management. The films created as part of the emergency response were developed by FilmAid in close collaboration with the UNHCR, Government of Kenya and other agencies operating in Dadaab in order to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness of messaging and information. The films were produced by FilmAid staff with the active involvement of refugee filmmakers taking part in FilmAid s training program. Dadaab Emergency Response 2

3 RECEPTION AND REGISTRATION CENTER SCREENINGS The three reception centers in Ifo, Hagadera and Dagahaly are the first point of contact for newly arriving refugees in Dadaab. Refugees who arrive by foot are directed to these points, and others are transported by bus directly from the border. An initial screening is conducted, refugees are given numbered wristbands according to family size, medical checks and immunizations are given and basic provisions are provided to last them until they are registered. After initial reception all new arrivals must register as refugees at the Registration Center in Ifo. After the reception process new arrivals are given an appointment at the registration center, and those from Hagadera and Dagahaly are transported by bus. Refugees are registered first with the Government of Kenya Department of Refugee Affairs and then separately with the UNHRC. Refugees are then given a ration card and non-food-items such as cooking pots and blankets, and are assessed for vulnerabilities and primary services. New arrivals wait to be processed at a reception center in Dadaab. FilmAid identified the reception and registration process as both a critical gap in terms of existing communication with refugees, and the best opportunity to reach new arrivals with critical information about life in the camp. Films were produced in both Somali and the Somali Mai Mai dialect outlining the reception process separately for each camp as well as the central registration center. These films also contain vital information on refugee rights, health and immunization services, food distribution, security and other issues relevant to newly arrived refugees. FilmAid worked with UNHCR and the Government of Kenya to integrate the screening of the reception and registration center films seamlessly into the existing process. Screening facilities were set up in tents at each of the centers where groups Dadaab Emergency Response 3

4 of around 30 refugees at a time can watch the film with a trained refugee facilitator to introduce the session and answer questions following the screening. Between August and October 2011 FilmAid screened the reception and registration center films to 39,477 newly arrived refugees. The reception and registration centers were closed by the Government of Kenya on October 14 th due to security concerns and are yet to be reopened. When the registration process is recommenced FilmAid will continue this important screening program. I never knew the health facilities are free. That s the most important for me. Without the film I wouldn t know. - Mulyun, 22, New Arrival, Registration Center I understood well. I learned how I get a ration card for food, and a wristband first. - Ruweyda, 18, New Arrival, Ifo Reception Center We see it as a very good thing. We know a lot now that we didn t know before we came to the camps. - Abdi Osman, 58, New Arrival, Registration Center A facilitator conducts a screening for new arrivals at the Reception Center in Ifo. Dadaab Emergency Response 4

5 COMMUNITY SCREENINGS AND VIDEO BASED WORKSHOPS FilmAid adapted and extended our regular community screenings to focus on the needs of new arrivals, which have been identified as the most vulnerable group in the camps. These new arrivals initially settled on the outskirts of Dagahely, Ifo and Hagadera, before the eventual opening of two new camps Ifo Extension and Kambioos which will eventually hold up to 270,000 refugees. A number of films have been produced specifically for the new arrivals on issues such as food distribution, community self-management, and cholera prevention and treatment. Existing films that are relevant to this audience have also been included in these screenings. Through mass audience and regular day time screenings 29,659 refugees were reached with content specifically produced for the emergency situation, including information food distribution for new arrivals, community self-management, hygiene and cholera prevention. An additional 31,065 refugees were reached through participatory educational theatre programs. The screenings make our work much easier. Before, we tried to tell them everything they need, but sometimes we are busy and forget. Now it is recorded so everyone sees. - Hassan, UNHCR Field Officer, Ifo Reception Center REFUGEE FILMMAKER TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING In August and early September 2011 two American filmmakers, K. Ryan Jones and Shawn Willis, spent five weeks in Dadaab conducting an intensive training with FilmAid s refugee filmmakers focusing on rapid response filmmaking. This training was designed to increase the capacity of the refugee filmmakers to produce quality information videos in short time periods in order to respond to issues as they emerge. The results of this training have been clearly demonstrated, as the refugee filmmakers take an increased role in production of emergency response films, such as the cholera awareness campaign, food distribution film and community selfmanagement film. Dadaab Emergency Response 5

6 INTERAGENCY COORDINATION AND INFORMATION SHARING FilmAid has been instrumental in identifying information dissemination to refugees as a key issue in the overall emergency response. As part of an increased interagency commitment to this initiative, an Information Dissemination Working Group has been formed to coordinate messages and strategies and improve information sharing between agencies which has been a significant challenge in the emergency. FilmAid has also formed bilateral discussions and partnerships with a number of agencies CARE, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Handicap International (HI), UNICEF, UNHCR among others in order to prioritize and craft emergency messages for the refugee community. After watching the film most people are happy to be immunized, which is great. Also, now they keep their record books before they used to trade them or just leave them behind. - Amina, GIZ (Health Partner) Field Officer, Ifo Reception Center New arrivals make their way to the Reception Center at Dagahely. Dadaab Emergency Response 6

7 DADAAB EMERGENCY END OR ESCALATION? On October 14 th 2011 the reception and registration centers in Dadaab were shut down due to security concerns following the abduction of two Spanish humanitarian workers. Since that date no new arrivals have been registered in Dadaab and the camp s population has remained officially static. A number of significant security incidents have followed the initial kidnappings, including roadside bombings and shootings. The state of emergency caused by the huge influx of refugees has been almost overshadowed by these new events. Heightened security levels have led to major interruptions to humanitarian operations in Dadaab, including FilmAid s activities in the camp. Nonetheless, the conditions that caused the original emergency to be declared continue. If anything conditions have worsened for many refugees within the camp, as relief agencies have been forced to reassess and redesign their operating practices in line with the new security protocols. The opening up of Ifo 2 has provided basic facilities for many new arrivals who had been waiting relocation however the closure of the reception and registration centers has left those yet to be processed in a highly vulnerable state of limbo. After a brief suspension of activities to allow for a security assessment, FilmAid resumed full operations, with new measures in place to allow for new security protocols including increased responsibility of refugee staff whose movement is less restricted by security convoy times. The reception and registration center screenings a key component of FilmAid s emergency response will resume when these centers are eventually reopened with the approval of the Government of Kenya and UNHCR. Dadaab Emergency Response 7