Languages - the communication challenge

Communicating with affected communities is a challenge for international aid workers. In 2013, there was an average of 59 living languages (or dialects) spoken in countries with an appeal. In six countries (Afghanistan, Mauritania, occupied Palestinian territory, Somalia, Syria and Yemen), the language of official UN correspondence was not the same as the country’s official language(s). The language barrier also extends to oral communications, creating a need for international humanitarians to work closely with local partners to ensure that communication channels with affected communities remain open.

Related Subject(s): Human Rights and Refugees