Improving Nomadic Livelihoods with Vital Data Access: Interactive Voice Response for Pastoralists in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger

Abstract for Preformed Panel Presentation from the 2022 International SBCC Summit in Morocco:

"In a context of insecurities due to climate change, conflict and other stresses, pastoralist communities in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are sharing vital information using mobile phones. Mobile phone coverage has considerably improved in recent years, and many pastoralists have access to either simple mobile phones or smartphones. Mobile phone services were prototyped with pastoralist audiences in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to collect and share vital information on livestock movement, livestock health and security considerations.In Mali, a toll-free telephone helpline incorporating an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) helpline provided information in four local languages. Data was sourced from herders via biweekly automated mobile surveys and was validated by the program team and government technical services through field agents. In Burkina Faso, a similar helpline was set up to provide information on water resources, pastures, animal diseases, transhumance corridors, conflicts and 'urgent action' concerns in the Northern and Eastern regions. Information was sourced through a network of local informants and validated by a government department before dissemination. In Niger, the system allowed local animal health workers and veterinarians to rapidly report and share information on animal diseases in their respective zones. While access to airtime was a constraint, this was overcome by negotiating free services from mobile network service providers. Access to a wider range of information including health, news and weather forecasts was provided. Partnerships included access to the 'Garbal' live call centers which were complemented by the IVR system, allowing for access on a 24/7 basis."