The state of communication, community engagement and accountability in the Horn of Africa drought response: A snapshot report for Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia

The Horn of Africa (HoA) region is experiencing one of the worst droughts in recent decades, triggered by consecutive failed rainy seasons. An estimated 36.4 million people are affected across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, and in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance. In a crisis of this magnitude, all affected people require information to make important decisions on issues that impact their lives and livelihoods. Yet information provision and continuous dialogue with communities can be the weakest link in complex humanitarian responses.

CDAC Network conducted a regional analysis in December 2022–May 2023 on the state of communication, community engagement and accountability (CCEA) in the HoA drought response. The report is based on key informant interviews with humanitarian actors and spotlights the key challenges and opportunities for collective approaches to accelerate CCEA. Initial conclusions were validated and further contextualised through a series of multi-stakeholder workshops held in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, and endorsed by regional and country coordination structures.