-
Walkie-Talkie System: Audio Announcements in Camps
Type of practice: Awareness raising and communication tools
Country: Greece
Name of Stakeholder: International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC
Type of Stakeholder Implementing the Practice: Civil Society, NGOs
Type of crisis: Conflict, Natural Disaster
Crisis phase: Emergency Response, Post-Crisis Action
Description
The Walkie-Talkie system introduced in 2015, provides hyperlocal and actionable audio information to migrants in camps. The high influx and turnover of migrants in Greek camps meant that there was consistently a high number of people who needed fast and easily digestible information. To make it very easy for every person in the camp to navigate the landscape and services, an audio system, called the walkie-talkie system, loudly broadcasts 20 minute audio-messages in various languages. The audio programmes are saved on USB sticks and played in the registration camps on the island of Lesbos. The audio system describes the agencies in the camp, the key services they offer (with a focus on the National Society), and answers frequently asked questions. Audio was particularly important because migrants lacked the time to read written texts. The system is also used to provide special programmes on issues relevant to migrants; for example, a short programme discusses managing stress.
To make the audio broadcast engaging and accessible, the support of radio stations was enlisted during the design. For example, a catchy jingle is used at the beginning to make announcements sound similar to a radio programme. So far the system has been broadcast to thousands of migrants, and the general perception of the migrants has been very positive. There are plans to expand the use of the system to the new camps on the Greek mainland as well as to other locations in the islands. In addition, ten further special thematic programmes are being planned to target small groups in a quiet environment where people attending the group can listen to the programme and engage afterwards in group discussion.
Guidelines/Thematic Areas
- Empowering migrants
-
GUIDELINE 3: Empower migrants to help themselves, their families, and communities during and in the aftermath of crises
In order to help themselves and others and to enjoy their rights, migrants need access to identity documents, basic public services, and financial and other resources. Migrants’ ability to help themselves and enjoy their rights can be undermined by factors related to their entry and stay, means of arrival, connections to local populations, and conditions in the host State, including in workplaces. These factors can in turn undermine emergency response and recovery efforts.
States, private sector actors, international organizations, and civil society can promote migrants’ resilience and empower migrants to help themselves during and after a crisis by addressing underlying conditions of vulnerability. Respecting, protecting, and fulfilling migrants' human and labor rights in ordinary times advance these goals as do efforts to ensure migrants are able to access information, basic services, and administrative, judicial, and other redress mechanisms.
Legal, policy, and operational factors that constrain protection should be addressed. Examples of obstacles include laws, policies, and practical barriers that arbitrarily restrict the movement of migrants, enable arbitrary detention, discriminate between migrants and citizens in the provision of humanitarian assistance, or permit exploitative employment or recruitment practices.
In times of crisis, fear of immigration enforcement can inhibit migrants, particularly those in an irregular immigration status, from accessing necessary help. In this context, it is important to separate immigration enforcement actions from those that promote migrants’ access to services, humanitarian assistance, identity documents, and movement.
Stakeholders can provide migrants—prior to departure from the State of origin, upon arrival in the host State, and during their stay in the host State—with pertinent information related to country-specific conflict or natural disaster hotspots, rights and potential rights violations or abuses, ways to access timely, credible, and regular information, emergency contact points, and what to do and where to go in the event of a crisis. Building migrants’ skills to communicate in the host-State language and increasing migrants’ financial literacy may prompt migrants to invest in savings, take out micro-insurance, and better prepare for navigating unforeseen circumstances.
Sample Practices
- Pre-departure and post-arrival training for migrants that includes crisis-related information.
- Positive communication about migrants, including through migrant role models and campaigns to promote tolerance, non-discrimination, inclusiveness, and respect.
- Financial products, including micro-insurance, savings accounts, and fast-cash loans that target migrants’ needs, including low-income migrants.
- Measures that respect, protect, and fulfill migrants’ human and labor rights, including addressing barriers that inhibit migrants’ ability to enjoy their rights.
- Identity cards for migrants in an irregular immigration status to promote their access to services.
- Ethical recruitment processes and accreditation, and integrity certification schemes.
- Community-based alternatives to detention for migrants.
- Communication during a crises
-
GUIDELINE 9: Communicate widely, effectively, and often with migrants on evolving crises and how to access help
Multiple formal and informal communication systems should be activated once a conflict or natural disaster erupts. Migrants should receive information on the evolving nature of a crisis and on ways to access assistance. In addition, those affected by conflicts or natural disasters often have clear ideas about how to improve their safety and security in an emergency. They are an important source of information about risks, local needs, and gaps in protection.Stakeholders can communicate information to and receive information from migrants and other stakeholders. Repeat messaging, using multiple channels, and different mediums (infographics, audio, and print) can help expand coverage. This is particularly important to reach migrants in an irregular immigration status, those working in isolated and remote conditions, and those who lack access to social and other networks. Communicating and engaging with a diverse representation of migrants, including with marginalized groups, improves needs assessment.
All stakeholders also benefit from timely information as crises evolve and new issues arise. In conflicts, for example, fighting may break out in new geographic areas and affect different migrant populations. In natural disasters, such as earthquakes, aftershocks may cause new damage. It is important to continue to assess these shifting patterns and adapt responses to changing needs.
Different stakeholders are often privy to unique information. Sharing information and knowledge on the evolution of crises and on available assistance can support efforts by all stakeholders to protect migrants and can mitigate confusion that might otherwise arise. For example, some States may obtain information on particular aspects of conflicts or natural disasters helpful to informing actions by other stakeholders, including humanitarian actors. Stakeholders may find value in developing consistent messaging on risks and status updates during crises.
Sample Practices
- Regular crisis updates and information on where and how to access assistance through multiple communication channels in relevant languages.
- 24-hour call centers with linguistically diverse and trained staff offering information and services.
- Dedicated outreach through volunteers and grass-roots actors to disseminate information on risks, logistics, and assistance to those in an irregular immigration status or working in isolated conditions.
-
Migrant support centers to disseminate information to migrants. Migrants as a source of information on local conditions, on sources of assistance, and challenges. Briefings and situation updates by host State authorities.
-
Migrant support centers to disseminate information to migrants.
-
Migrants as a source of information on local conditions, on sources of assistance, and challenges.
-
Briefings and situation updates by host State authorities.