We recently had the privilege of partnering with Meta to hold a roundtable discussion on “Digital Diaspora in Humanitarian Assistance.” The conversations were enlightening as you would expect from those with lived experience and those with the tools to help #diasporas in their (all too) frequent role as first responders.

The main objective of this discussion was to understand how diaspora organisations in #humanitarian assistance use Meta platforms, and how humanitarian principles can be applied on Meta platforms.

During a crisis, it is vital that the information shared is accurate, relevant, and helpful for the affected population and responders. To safeguard relief efforts, it is vital to discern content that is helpful versus content that can cause panic, impede relief efforts, or compromise the security of responders, affected individuals, and communities. 

Chaired by Eiman Kheir (Meta) and Kirstie Kwarteng (Shabaka), we were joined by Anna Kharbanda and Sara Hashash (The Syria Campaign), Oya Tabag (The Turkey Mozaik Foundation), Tauhid Pasha (IOM – UN Migration), Dr Lola Banjoko (International Rescue Committee UK), Dilys Kyeiwaa Winterkorn, Onyekachi Wambu (AFFORD), Fadi Al-Dairi (HIHFAD) , Semhar Araia (Meta) and Bashàïr Ahmed, PhD. Many thanks to Joseph S. for the amazing capture.

All of this helps pursue the much needed #localisation agenda and to empower #diasporas as the humanitarian actors they are.