Have you ever been denied access by local authorities, tangled in bureaucracy, or faced threats from armed actors while trying to reach displaced communities? Operating in high-risk areas requires organizations to overcome a range of challenges, such as administrative hurdles, political interference, and violence.
Organizations and communities also face hidden barriers, often referred to as gatekeeping, where individuals or entities control access to critical information and services. This form of gatekeeping can significantly hinder humanitarian efforts, limiting the reach and effectiveness of aid and support to those in need.
At a recent Community Coffee & Chat session hosted by the Community Engagement Forum on June 27, 2024, forty online attendees from around the world had the privilege of hearing from humanitarian access expert Sarah Kilany. With extensive experience across the Middle East, North Africa, Sahel, East Africa, and Asia, Sarah shared practical insights on overcoming these barriers. Using Yemen as a case study, she provided practical strategies to enhance access to communities in need. Here are the key takeaways:
1. Conduct Thorough Context Analysis, including actor analysis: Understanding the local and national landscape is an essential first step. Assess the political, social, and economic context to understand the drivers and root causes of the access challenges. Identify key gatekeepers, including but not limited to local authorities, community leaders, and representatives, and explore their motivations to build effective cooperation at the local, regional, and national levels.
2. Develop a Multi-layered Engagement Strategy: Combine national and international expertise to improve negotiation outcomes. Involve both local and international staff, leveraging their unique strengths while planning and conducting negotiations. This strategy should guide all engagements—local, national, and international—ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the context and better navigation through complex negotiations.
3. Maintain Consistency in Decision-Making: Establish clear, consistent decision-making processes across all country operations. Document decisions and their reasoning to ensure all team members are aligned, especially given the high turnover organizations face. Consistency across all geographic areas builds trust with local authorities and communities, vital for successful engagement.
4. Ensure Transparency and Clarity in Communication: Clear communication is the backbone of effective engagement. Regularly update local authorities and communities on project progress, articulate objectives and processes clearly, and be open about challenges. Transparency helps build trust and facilitates cooperation.
5. Engage in Ongoing Relationship-Building: Building long-term relationships with local authorities and communities is an ongoing process. Schedule regular meetings and check-ins, even outside of project needs, to foster trust and collaboration. Continuous and non-transactional dialogue ensures that relationships remain strong and can withstand emerging challenges.
6. Prepare for Ad-Hoc Negotiations: Flexibility is key in high-risk areas. Be ready to handle unexpected challenges with a flexible approach, empowering team members to make quick, informed decisions while remaining within the organizational parameters. Ensuring program and project adaptability to overcome unforeseen access issues and ensure operational continuity.
7. Utilize Internal and External Resources: Leverage internal data and reports, such as context analysis and conflict assessments, for informed decision-making. Collaborate with other organizations and share insights to enhance understanding and strategy development. Adapt existing tools and frameworks to local contexts.
8. Prioritize Staff Training and Development: Analysis, strategies, and processes are foundational, but ultimately people are the key to any engagement activity. Invest in staff capacity building and ongoing mentorship to prepare them for challenges. Offer training and coaching in negotiation skills and context analysis to encourage continuous learning and adaptability. This approach helps create a skilled, dynamic team ready to thrive in evolving environments.
9. Document and Share Learnings: Keep detailed records of negotiations and engagement efforts. Share successes and challenges within the organization and across agencies and sectors to refine strategies and inform future efforts. Using past experiences to guide future actions ensures continuous improvement.
"Understanding the root causes and motivations behind access barriers is essential. It's not just about identifying the challenges, but comprehending why they exist and how they impact both our operations and the communities we serve." - Sarah Kilany
For the full conversation, please see the session's recording.
About Sarah Kilany
Sarah Kilany's expertise spans multiple regions, including the Middle East, North Africa, Sahel, East Africa, and Asia. She advises international agencies on navigating high-risk areas through informed policies, programs, and investments. Her career includes roles at research centers and international organizations, providing valuable analysis and strategic guidance to governments, non-profits, and policy institutions.
About the Community Engagement Forum
The Community Engagement Forum is an online, interagency community of practice for CCCM and other humanitarian practitioners committed to fostering the engagement of communities affected by displacement. Managed and moderated by NRC in coordination with the CCCM Cluster and funded by UNHCR, the Forum offers workshops and webinars on topics suggested by members and provides a platform for sharing valuable resources and experiences.
Stay Engaged
For more insights and to enhance your community engagement strategies, join the Community Engagement Forum. Connect, learn, and share experiences with global experts. Subscribe at CEForum Main Group and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
To find out when the next Community Coffee & Chat is taking place, please email the Forum moderator, Kristin Vestrheim, at [email protected].
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