On the Airwaves: How Community Radio Is Transforming Lives in Somalia

When Shariifo, a mother of five, left her home in the Bay region of Somalia due to a deteriorating climate crisis, she was heavily pregnant. Soon after she arrived at the Al-Fatax displacement site on the outskirts of Baidoa, she gave birth to Hassan, now 15 months old.

But the mother’s immediate concern was not securing necessary vaccinations for her newborn – her only encounter with them had been through the polio drops she saw being administered to young children in her home village, Barbaar; her misconceptions even led her to believe the drops were bad for children.

Families like Shariifo’s, managing the challenges of displacement in a country hit hard by extreme events and conflict, do not always have access to information or services that can protect their wellbeing. Most displaced persons do not have access to smart phones and, to a large extent, their information still comes from traditional mass media such as radio.

That is how Sheeko Wadaag was born. Funded by the European Union and USAID's Bureau of Humanitarian Assitance (BHA), Sheeko Wadaag is a community radio programme that disseminates lifesaving information to displaced populations, focusing on relevant humanitarian issues, events and stories. It provides a platform for the community to share their feedback, concerns and challenges through the voices of community members.

IOM Somalia, in collaboration with the Community Engagement and Accountability Task Force in Baidoa, is implementing Sheeko Wadaag, which means ‘storytelling’ in Somali. The radio programme serves as a vital platform for education and empowerment of displaced individuals.

Soon after arriving at Al-Fatax, Shariifo began attending Sheeko Wadaag’s listening and engagement sessions called "Talk-to-Sheeko Wadaag". During the recording of one segment, focused on general health and vaccination awareness, Shariifo's understanding of child health was transformed.  

She was surprised to learn about the variety of vaccines beyond polio, including immunizations against tuberculosis, diphtheria and measles.

Empowered by the newly acquired knowledge, Shariifo’s motherly instincts were quick to kick in. She took proactive steps to ensure her son Hassan received all the recommended vaccinations.

Reflecting on her journey, Shariifo acknowledged that the information and support provided by the Sheeko Wadaag team significantly improved her understanding of child health and well-being.  

Through Sheeko Wadaag, many like Shariifo are gaining access to life-saving information, building resilient communities, and safeguarding the health of future generations. The community radio is part of IOM’s efforts to support local partners and communities in finding solutions to long-term displacement, and boost resilience for future generations.