The Shongjog Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP) on Communication with Communities (CwC) will aim to ensure that there are identified credible sources of information, where information is managed and updated. The MSP will also aim to promote trust between communities and the disaster response sector by recognising voices of the community and reflecting them in strategies, policies and decision-making processes. Shongjog itself means ‘Linkage’.
The Shongjog MSP will put special emphasis on reaching the most vulnerable groups, such as children, women and girls, widows, persons with disabilities, elderly and socially excluded groups as well as use appropriate, inclusive and diverse channels of communication to reach all groups. It will also establish close feedback loops so that communities are aware of this commitment and how information is used.
The Shongjog Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP) will be linked with following entities for better coordination and effective delivery of services and assistance to affected communities:
1) Government
2) Humanitarian Architecture in Bangladesh (Government and UN systems)
3) Voluntary networks such as Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Fire Service & Civil Defense Urban Volunteers.
4) National and international NGOs working on disaster management.
Communication with Communities
In the context of humanitarian action Communication with Communities, which is sometimes abbreviated to CwC, refers to activities where the exchange of information is used to save lives, mitigate risk, enable greater accountability and shape the response, as well as supporting the communication needs of people caught up in conflicts, natural disasters and other crises.
Meeting the information and communication needs of such people increasingly is being recognised as a core deliverable in humanitarian response. It can save lives, mitigate risk, enable greater accountability and shape the humanitarian response.
The UN Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19 states:
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
This means that everyone concerned with helping people affected by disasters has an obligation to facilitate communication.