FEDURP/ CODOHSAPA–KYC MEDIA
By Emmanuel Nyakeh Momoh
The idea of community ownership and community -led development have been identified as a rational approach to transformative development, in the informal settlements.
In addressing some of these threats of climate change, poor hygiene and sanitation, and the lack of safe and dignified water facilities, among others, we must create a platform where the dwellers of slum and shack communities tell their own stories, published by themselves, as the adage goes, “he who knows it , feels it.”
These people know the nook and crannies of the creek and informal environments, and the idea of creating the Incidental App is top notch. The App serves as a channel, where the slum and shack dwellers do not only report on emerging incidents in the various urban poor communities, but can do it better. We must understand that incidents of natural and man- made disasters like flooding, fire outrage( often caused by poor electrical connections), and the emergence of infectious diseases like cholera, diphtheria and others, emerge in these communities and we must find ways to tackle them. Therefore, the Incident App will grant the informal dwellers of Cockle Bay, Sunsan’s Bay, Kroo Bay and other informal settlements the opportunity to report on the aforementioned threats, including other incidents like domestic violence, child abuse, exploitation, violation of safeguarding rules by social workers and partners, Gender based Violence etc.
FEDURP/CODOHSAPA believe in the bottom -top approach of Communication Development, and this is why the Incidental App has been created, working closely with community stakeholders in ensuring that fake news are aborted .
Some of these community residents have been chosen by FEDURP/CODOSAPA, and they have gone through training on the relevant communication skills in reporting accurate and balanced incidents within the slum and shack communities. The Incident App also has the apt mechanisms to detect fake news, and all community reporters must ensure that the content of each story is related to issues like Climate Change and Environmental Justice, Crime, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Gender Based Violence (GBV), Health and Sanitation interventions( WASH), State of Security; among others.
The community reporters who went through the training at FEDURP Office, expressed gratitude to FEDURP/CODOHSAPA Management for the initiative, noting that the Incident App has not only given them the platform to be part of their own stories, but has granted them with opportunity to create stories of change.