Determining the appropriate channels of communication and investing in them can help communities communicate safely and securely with who they need to, whether diaspora, separated family members or humanitarian agencies themselves. Information ecosystem assessment: 1. Information needs – are the information needs of all groups being served? 2. Information landscape – what infrastructures are in place to support information production and flow? 3. Production and movement of information – who generates information and how does it move?  4. Dynamic of access – what are the power structures in the environment and how can they affect how the information flows? 5. Use of information – what do people do with the information they receive? 6. Impact of information – what impact does this information have on the community? 7. Social trust – whose information do individuals trust?  8. Influencers in the community – which voices are loudest or most influential? Rumor tracking: Tackling rumours doesn’t mean you necessarily have to set up a dedicated system or tracking mechanisms. You can embed rumour tracking into existing communication systems, like a feedback mechanism or community social media page. No matter how you do it, the required steps to detect and debunk rumours are the same. (https://www.unhcr.org/innovation/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Check-list-Chapter-6-Rumors-and-misinformation.pdf) Traditional authorities such as village chiefs, neighbourhood, street or religious leaders also play a crucial role in the spread of information throughout the community, ensuring public mobilisation. These authorities use existing communication channels like town criers. Usually, information from public authorities only complements but does not precede or overrule information already circulating in communities. (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/62e895bdf6085938506cc492/t/6769314b9f22c4548a009d4a/1734947149681/GTS_Chad_Dec2024_EN.pdf) Participant-driven photo-elicitation as data collection: first used by photographer and researcher John Collier who saw photographs as communication tools that could bridge cultural and language divides to allow for a shared understanding of the social world ([Collier & Collier, 1986](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/16094069241241997?utm_source=chatgpt.com#bibr12-16094069241241997)). Photo elicitation interviewing uses photographs within an interview to foster conversation around an issue of interest ([Harper, 2002](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/16094069241241997?utm_source=chatgpt.com#bibr16-16094069241241997), p. 23). Photographs become conversation starting points, mutually interesting foci between interviewer and interviewee, and a gentle probing tool to uncover meaning within complex social worlds. In a study on stroke prevention in immigrant Arabic-speaking Muslim older women ([Salma et al., 2018](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/16094069241241997?utm_source=chatgpt.com#bibr38-16094069241241997)), participants shared nuanced emotions and meanings when tangible objects happened to be present and relevant to the interview question; for example, observing a pill container when discussing medication adherence or taking a walk through the garden when describing hobbies. The potential for visual cues to enhance the depth of reflection and open new avenues for mutual exploration was evident from these early experiences. See https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/16094069241241997 Disaster diaries: qualitative research at a distance: At times of crisis – including pandemics and natural disasters – the tendency to rely upon quickly collected, rapidly analysed numerical data (Himelein et al., 2020; World Bank, 2020; IMF, 2020) means qualitative insights can too often be missed. Despite their sometimes longer lead times and lower participant numbers, qualitative data can play a crucial role in enriching understanding of people’s experiences, perspectives, and how social issues intersect in place (Atieno, 2009). Use of qualitative research – including during previous crises – can support policy makers to (re)conceptualize people’s situations, aspirations, and capacities; facilitating multifaceted and meaningful explanations of vulnerability and empowerment, potentially leading to novel and more inclusive policies. See https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367056208_Disaster_Diaries_Qualitative_Research_at_a_Distance **And how do you get information back to people?** Low-tech audio: community radio, “narrowcast” audio programs, megaphones, loudspeaker cars/bikes identified as preferred/feasible in recent IEAs (e.g., Renk, South Sudan). Two-way SMS/USSD and IVR hotlines for FAQs, service updates, and polling. Mesh / ad-hoc networks and offline servers to restore connectivity and host local content when infrastructure is down or censored.