SEPTEMBER 2021 - Over 80 RCCE practitioners from over 20 agencies including from the UN, NGOs, government, and academia have been trained on applying social science evidence in health emergencies in the Eastern and Southern Africa region. This initiative aims to strengthen regional social science capacity through the Collective Service, a platform established in 2020 and co-led by UNICEF, IFRC and WHO; it supports the coordination of ESAR partners engaged in the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) response of COVID-19 and other emergencies.

The training builds on Rapid Needs Assessment which highlighted the need to generate demand for social science in the region and to build associated capacity.

Under the social science role supported by the Collective Service platform, Anthrologica developed, piloted, and launched a three-module course focusing on social science data and analysis, translating social science evidence for RCCE and an orientation to social science resources in Eastern and Southern Africa. Participants included humanitarian and health emergency practitioners, particularly RCCE specialists working with social science data in Eastern and Southern Africa. A key outcome from the training was the initiation of a regional social science Community of Practice. Regional social scientists and practitioners who are interest in being part of the regional Community of Practice can reach out to Gefra Fulane through gefrafulane@anthrologica.com.

Other social science needs which are being addressed through the Collective Service include a mapping of social science gaps and resources in the region, a framework on how to respond to social science needs in emergencies and humanitarian settings in the Eastern and Southern Africa region, and a repository of social science research, evidence tools and guidance.