Darfur Information Needs Assessment

Introduction

Problem areas/scope

”In times of crisis, the need for information centres around two fundamental questions: What is happening? And what will happen to us? The confusion unleashed by initial panic and dislocation is only resolved once internally displaced persons (IDPs) have found refuge and reconstituted channels of communication. The spectrum of needed information for displaced people ranges from factual information on assistance – to public health, hygiene and education – to human rights and protection – to issues surrounding return and relocation and, finally – to safety, security and the overall situation in Darfur.

Dissemination of information from and within Darfur is a delicate issue. The thermometer of ‘hot topics’ starts to light up around human rights and protection and, thereafter, increases to boiling point. Information becomes politicised very quickly, either because it is vulnerable to political manipulation or, from the Government’s perspective, because it is viewed as the State’s responsibility, not to be meddled with by international agencies.

As one NGO worker noted: ‘What we see as humanitarian diplomacy is often perceived to be political and inappropriate’. Agencies whose public statements are seen to stray beyond their humanitarian mandate have faced serious difficulties with the Government, leading to the tightening up of communications. As one Programme Manager observed: ‘Ultimately, it comes down to a decision of what’s more important, the statement or the programme. In almost every case, we’re better off leaving the release of information to others so that we can get on with our work. We’re here for the long-run so we have to be careful.’ Though understandable and necessary, this caution impedes the transparent flow of information between the humanitarian community and IDPs.

Acknowledging the sensitivity of much of the information related to the conflict in Darfur and the restrictive environment in which it should be disseminated, there are certain things that IDPs have a right to know and should have unimpeded access to if they are to make independent and informed choices. Apart from humanitarian information, which concerns the daily life of IDPs, needed information includes news on cease-fire agreements, political decisions made on their behalf, the main findings of the International Commission of Enquiry, developments on the prosecution of crimes against humanity, information on the UN mission, principles of voluntary return, the list goes on.

Though information is exchanged among displaced communities at considerable speed, the dissemination of certain information cannot continue to be left to chance. At present – and understandably due to the emergency environment – there has been very little focus on systematically informing and engaging IDPs in the developments in Darfur.

Justification

One IDP insisted ‘Information is what guides our decisions, without it, we are lost.’

This assessment identifies the information needs of IDPs and the available efforts and options in place to enhance the flow of relevant and needed information. The question is then: to what extent are displaced communities already being provided with that information and, in those cases where information dissemination is inadequate, what can realistically be done to circumvent obstacles to open communication without jeopardising humanitarian activities in Darfur?

Little attention has been directed towards information flow to and among IDPs. This is due to several reasons: the rapidity of an emergency response, during which consultation and information dissemination is not a priority; the sensitivity of information and the threat of manipulation, giving rise to a reluctance to grapple with IDPs’ need to be informed, and the logistical/ practicalities of communicating with large numbers of people across a vast territory. These restrictions are not negligible and must be accommodated within any communications strategy.

However, with the acknowledgement of the right of IDPs to receive information comes an obligation to find ways of bringing information to affected communities. To this end, having mapped out existing and planned initiatives, this assessment suggests ways in which, within existing parameters, this obligation could be fulfilled. As the focus of the humanitarian effort starts to shift from an immediate response to the next phase – reconstruction and development – demands and potential for mass communication and dissemination will come to the fore. Information required by IDPs will have less to do with survival and will increasingly concern the reinstatement of displaced persons as citizens, individuals to whom both the Government of Sudan and the humanitarian community must be accountable. As part of this shift, the provision of information becomes a prerequisite for popular participation in and ownership of any resolution to the conflict, prosecution of war criminals and reconciliation that occurs.

Primarily, this report focuses on IDPs but many of the needs discussed are of relevance to Darfuris in general; particularly regarding information on political negotiations and UN resolutions. Where appropriate, findings and recommendations are targeted to all Darfuris, whether directly or indirectly affected by the conflict. “

The document includes a mapping of information needs for IDPs in Darfur, looks at existing means and methods of information flow as well as communication efforts that are in the pipeline and finally gives recommendations on media communication.