Improving communication, engagement and accountability in all we do.
Community engagement and accountability (CEA) is an approach to Red Cross Red Crescent programming and operations. It is supported by a set of activities that help put communities at the centre of what we do, by integrating communication and participation throughout the programme cycle or operation.
CEA is the process of and commitment to providing timely, relevant and actionable life-saving and life-enhancing information to communities. It is about using the most appropriate communication approaches to listen to communities’ needs, feedback and complaints, ensuring they can actively participate and guide Red Cross Red Crescent actions. CEA supports those involved in programmes and operations to adopt innovative approaches to better understand and engage with people and communities and help them address unhealthy and unsafe practices. It maximizes the Red Cross Red Crescent’s unique relationship with the community to help them speak out about the issues that affect them and influence decision and policy-makers to implement positive changes.
What is CEA?
Minimum actions
The CEA Guide
The CEA Toolkit
How to Use Social Media to Better Engage People Affected by Crises
Together with ICRC, and with the support of OCHA, we have published a brief guide on how to use social media to better engage people affected by crisis. The guide is geared towards staff in humanitarian organisations who are responsible for official social media channels.
Recent additions to the CEA resources library
This brief guide, provides advice on how to use social media effectively to engage with, and be accountable to, affected people through practical tips and case studies from within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the wider sector. The guide was developed by IFRC and ICRC with the support of OCHA.
This guideline will show the necessity of sensible information provided during disaster as well as encourage GOs and NGOs to conduct live/phone-in programs.
The guide aims to enhance knowledge and capacity of the volunteers regarding communication with community in implementing disaster emergency response and recovery activities.
CEA in Action
In focus: World Radio Day
Radio is a powerful tool to engage and help affected communities across the world. Read more about our work.
In focus: Ebola
Community engagement has been central to responding the Ebola emergency in West Africa and to keep communities safe and the virus contained.
In focus: Migration
Virtualvolunteer.org helps migrants find local support and provides tips on how to keep safe and healthy.
In focus: TERA
The TERA system provides life-saving information when and where it is needed during an emergency or crisis.
News stories
The IFRC and ICRC, with support from OCHA, have published a brief guide on how to use social media to engage people affected by crisis.
Whether it’s a charity run for orphans or an art club for refugees, teenagers all over Austria are encouraged to set their ideas in motion for the sake of people who need a hand.
Outreach activities are specially targeted towards children as agents of change in the hope of spreading the message on Zika awareness and prevention to families and by extension, communities.