On August 15th, Internews and USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance hosted a panel in Washington DC, showcasing innovative approaches to the challenge of misinformation in humanitarian crises based on lessons from over 15 countries in Internews’ BHA-funded project, Rooted in Trust. 

Three guests from around the world – Dr. Michael Gubay, Roccio Lopez Ingio, and Joseph Jethro Sereme – shared their experience addressing misinformation in different thematic areas and geographies, each with contributions to our overall understanding of the role of trust in addressing misinformation in humanitarian action. From the height of COVID-19 to a sudden outbreak of violence, investing in trust with communities as a path to supporting timely, safe, and accessible information is a core component of a principled humanitarian response. The panel discussed Internews’ Trust Framework, which aims to provide a structured way to identify why different providers and sources of information are or are not trusted, and how to increase trust over time. 

Eunice Wavomba, Sr. Humanitarian Assistance Officer, USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, and Jeanne Bourgault, President & CEO, Internews, provided opening and closing remarks, and Irene Scott, Internews Humanitarian Director, Internews, moderated the session.  

View the full event recording here or watch below: