The Need for FilmAid
Intellectual, visual and aural stimulation are needs often overlooked in humanitarian responses where the first priority is naturally given to legal and physical protection, subsistence, and health care. As displaced populations languish in camps, the erosion of cultural norms and community environment further aggravates health and social problems. By packaging taboo subjects within entertainment, tough issues can be destigmatized. FilmAid's programs address critical health and social issues such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, cholera, sexual and domestic violence, reproductive health and family planning.
FilmAid's programs achieve both positive immediate change as well as providing enduring long-term impact. In the short term, individuals experience psychological relief from the harsh realities of their existence and obtain constructive knowledge and skills. In the long term, the films offer individuals a broader view of the world, an opportunity to imagine other futures for themselves and a vision for how they can make a difference in their communities. Effective interventions, which engage people in constructive activities, can maximize other core investments made in health care, conflict resolution, reconciliation, repatriation and community development.
Recently, FilmAid has enhanced its programs to include working with communities in needs in East Africa, in addition to working with refugee populations.
"FilmAid makes people happy; it makes people come together in peace. It also shows people movies on conflict resolution and people have greatly changed; less conflicts between people in the camp and among the ethnic groups of Sudan."
- Sudanese Refugee, Kakuma
"FilmAid helps people, especially when you are sad and FilmAid shows very entertaining films or a film that educates individuals on an area where he/she has a problem. The person will be healed as he reflects and thinks about it, and have a self consultation to solve a problem by himself."
- Sudanese Refugee, Kakuma
"The idea of FilmAid is divine. if FilmAid had been thought of at the start of the camp, there would be less traumatized and mentally challenged people in Kakuma. People find an avenue to release tension and explore with their brains at the screening."
- Burundian Refugee, Kakuma
Why FilmAid Works
FilmAid International addresses the frequently neglected problems of isolation, lack of information and psychological trauma. FilmAid uses the power of film and video to break monotony and isolation, as well as to convey essential information. Films help to restore dignity, quality of life and hope. FilmAid's initiatives have the following goals:
Educate and Inform
FilmAid creates and screens educational films on topics that address specific community concerns and issues, including HIV/AIDS awareness, the prevention and treatment of malaria and cholera, maternal and reproductive health, hygiene and sanitation, sexual and gender-based violence, girls' right to education, human rights, conflict resolution, land mine awareness and repatriation.
Entertain
FilmAid screens feature films that convey positive messages on a variety of issues. FilmAid carefully selects nonviolent, family-oriented films that are culturally appropriate, with extensive input from the community advisory committee. FilmAid screenings bring hope while alleviating problems of psychosocial trauma, isolation and despair. Through these shared positive experiences, a sense of community flourishes.
Provide Employment and Skills Training
FilmAid trains and employs community members and refugees to operate its programs, promoting self-sufficiency, skills building and empowerment. FilmAid also teaches basic filmmaking skills so that individuals can tell their own stories and educate their own communities.
Raise Awareness
Through celebrity advocacy and involvement, FilmAid raises awareness of the global refugee crisis as well as the positive impact that media and film can have on populations left out of the information age.
Experts from the Center for International Health and Development at Boston University's School of Public Health recently conducted an independent evaluation of FilmAid's programs in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. Click here to learn more about the impact of FilmAid's work in Kakuma, click here to view the Final Report (pdf)
