SAVE THE CHILDREN

IRDAC’s partnership with Save the Children International has focused on strengthening education, health, and child protection programming in complex environments. A key collaboration was the implementation of a national baseline survey in Puntland, Somalia, which explored community knowledge, attitudes, and practices around education, water, sanitation, hygiene, and HIV/AIDS. The study provided a clear understanding of barriers to formal and non-formal education, especially for girls, and identified opportunities for improved programming through media-based community engagement. The findings directly supported the design of a radio program for nomadic populations, bridging the gap between remote communities and vital health and education information.

The process not only generated valuable data but also ensured multi-stakeholder capacity building, as IRDAC trained both government officials and INGOs on how to integrate the research into their policies and programs. The study helped Save the Children strengthen advocacy on girl child education, water access, and public health, while also fostering collaboration between humanitarian actors and local government. Beyond the immediate results, this partnership demonstrated IRDAC’s strength in producing actionable research that empowers organizations like Save the Children to deliver evidence-based, scalable interventions for vulnerable children. The impact has extended across program design, policy influence, and grassroots engagement, contributing significantly to Save the Children’s mission of ensuring every child survives, learns, and is protected.