IDS is working in southern Somalia with FCDO and European Union support in partnership with the Caafimaad Plus Consortium of humanitarian NGOs. The initiative aims to enhance the ease with which Somali communities in hard-to-reach and contested areas influence the form and accessibility of humanitarian services. It seeks to do this by improving understanding between community members and external agencies using a storytelling methodology which gives community members the opportunity to highlight, explain and act on their own priorities and problems.

Confronting shortcomings in the current system and recognizing that the world of aid is changing fast in the light of recent events, the initiative is all about innovation. As one agency leader said, ‘we need a mind shift among humanitarians away from a belief that we know best what people need, and how and where it should be provided, towards a new principle that we should give precedence to community priorities and their systems of provision.’

The work focuses at every level from community through to the international humanitarian system. For instance we are engaging with the European Union Humanitarian Office to promote community centred humanitarian action. We are also engaging with the UN OCHA Flagship initiative which aims to generate a visible operational shift towards stronger community engagement and a people-centred response by humanitarian agencies.

As part of the project, through these one-minute animations, the communities in hard to reach areas of Somalia tell their stories of how they use their strength and creativity to create a good life.