Quarterly Deep Dive
April to June 2025
Trends and analysis
8th of July 2025
This report is written by the Talk to Loop Global and the Somalia & Somaliland team, with ongoing insights and support from our national host, Raagsan. Their expertise in the Somali context, helps ensure the platform is appropriately contextualised. This report reflects that collaboration.
You can download the full report here.
Loop received 32,710 calls into Loop from the IVRR in Somalia and Somaliland. Sensitive reporting numbers increased significantly, and from more marginalised groups: minority clans (3 to 32), women (from 46% to 61%) and people living with disabilities (PLWD) (5 to 18). In addition, this quarter marked the widest geographic reach of the platform so far, with sensitive reports received from every region of Somalia and Somaliland.
Responsiveness from organisations back to communities increased slightly but can continue to be improved. Responsiveness from organisations to sensitive reports however, increased across the board, reaching 88% overall, including 91% for protection referrals.
Feedback from the Democratic Republic of Congo started to come into Loop this quarter, without funding or a physical presence, highlighting the demand for an independent safe reporting channel in complex, chronic humanitarian contexts.
The 1,501 moderated voice messages across Somalia and Somaliland that came into Talk to Loop between April and June of 2025 speak to the overlapping crises of climate shocks, conflict and insecurity. The resulting displacement and dwindling humanitarian funding intersect to disproportionately affect Somalia and Somaliland’s most vulnerable populations. As general requests for assistance remain high, the feedback shows that while all groups face hardships, children, PLWD, caregivers, elderly individuals, and those from minority or displaced communities are burdened by compounded vulnerabilities, often simultaneously experiencing poverty, caregiving duties, exclusion, and lack of access to aid.
Requests for assistance dominated the feedback (88%). Communities across Somalia and Somaliland requested food, shelter, cash, and healthcare. Climate shocks, particularly drought in some areas, floods in others, ongoing conflict and displacement were major drivers of vulnerability, especially in regions like Banaadir, Bay, Lower Shabelle, and Sool.
Communities also expressed frustration with unmet aid promises, exclusion from services, and a growing sense of neglect, particularly among those in IDP camps, rural areas, and conflict zones.
Intimate partner violence was the most highly reported gender-based violence (GBV) concern. There were also child protection reports of violence in the home. Reports suggest that this is linked to household tensions from financial instability.
Mogadishu remains a major source of protection-related reporting this quarter. 68% of the sensitive reports from Banaadir were concerning GBV, reflecting the severity of protection risks in urban displacement settings where overcrowding, economic pressure and overwhelming demand in services often converge.
In this quarter a total of 76 referrals were made, 46 for protection cases, and 30 for fraud, corruption, or service complaints. While complaints related to fraud and corruption declined slightly, the content of these reports continued to reflect concerns about favouritism, lack of transparency, and undue influence from those in positions of power.
For the first time this year, four allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) were received.
Loop and partners continue to engage with local organisations, the aggregator CFM, PSEA clusters and networks of minority actors. The non personally identifiable information (PII) in this report remains open for anyone to review and interrogate via the Loop statistics page. If you have any questions or would like assistance to use Loop for your own purposes, please contact us.
Loop is available to communities in Somalia/Somaliland mainly via our Voice channel 24 hours a day 7 days a week. All incoming feedback undergoes moderation by trained Somalis who speak the relevant dialects, including Maxaatiri, Maay, Benadiri, Bajuuni, and Barawani Chimini.
Thousands of people call Loop’s toll-free number (2023) and moderators follow our protocols to decide whether to publish the feedback, refer it internally to the Sensitive Feedback Lead, or reject it. During this period, Loop received ⬇️32,710 calls from community members, a 17% decrease from Q1 2025 (39,000). 1501 pieces were published. This is very similar to Q1 (1,515) and a steady increase (70%) from Q4 2024 (888) and a 160% increase from Q1 2024 (580).
Loop continues to be available to communities across the whole of Somalia/Somaliland.
Overall, feedback is consistent across most regions, with some regions seeing slight fluctuations. ⬇️A significant decrease was seen in feedback coming from Banaadir: 6% as opposed to 12% in Q1. In⬆️54% of the feedback (45% in Q1), people opted not to share their location.
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Loop’s Voice channel is available in five languages/ dialects across Somalia/ Somaliland: Maxaatiri, Maay, Benadiri, Bajuuni, and Barawani Chimini. However, usage remains heavily skewed, with Maxaatiri accounting for ⬆️85% of feedback and Maay for ⬇️15%. The other languages/ dialects had minimal engagement.
Over the coming 12 months, Raagsan is leading a project in the Kismayo region to try to engage more Kizigua/ Mushunguli speakers. This project will include partnerships to reach minority individuals in the region and build trust and increase usage, through strong partnerships with minority led organisations, including the Minority Rights Group (MRG) and Marginalized Communities Advocates Network (MCAN).
⬆️41% of open feedback in this quarter were from females (34% in Q1), a steady increase since 2024.
⏸️6% of feedback (91) was recorded by children and adolescents aged 14-17, similar to Q1 2025 and a steady increase from Q4 2024 (3%). This percentage might be higher across all age groups, as ⏸️61% of users opted not to share their age, which is similar to Q1 2025.
Among those who provided their locations (43%), similar to Q1 2025, most of the children and adolescents who contacted Loop came from the Bay region and mainly Baydhabo district. This could be due to the high concentration of humanitarian organisations and awareness raising activities.
Girls recorded ⏸️27% of the feedback coming from children and adolescents, and ⬇️only one child mentioned living with a disability (2 in Q1).
The vast majority (⬇️83%; 95% in Q1) of feedback from children and adolescents consisted of requests for assistance. ⬇️35% related to cash assistance, which is a significant drop from Q1 (70%), followed by ⬇️14% (20% in Q1) of requests for food items. Other requests were related to Health, WASH, jobs and Education.
Quotes from children and adolescents feedback:
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We saw a significant drop in feedback recorded by older people. ⬇️2% (4%, Q1) of users were 60 years old or more. However, ⬆️30% (19%, Q1), of this feedback was from females. Two of the elderly who used Loop mentioned that they live with a disability. Where the location is mentioned, ⬇️3 (10, Q1) older persons mentioned Lower Shabelle (Marka and Wanlaweyn) as their location and ⬇️2 mentioned Gedo (4, Q1). All the feedback from the elderly consisted of requests for cash assistance, general assistance and food items.
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In the reporting period, we saw a decrease in engagement from people living with disabilities (PLWD). 2% (32) (3% or 43 in Q1). Among those: 13 were women and 18 were men. Where location is mentioned, most of the feedback from PLWD came from Sanaag (3), Bari (2) and Sool (2).
Of those people who reported what type of disability, according to the Washington definitions, they had, the majority was physical difficulties, followed by sight. 13 did not mention what type of disability they had.
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Quotes from PLWD:
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Of the total users in Q2 2025, ⬇️1% (15 users) reported being caregivers for PLWD. This represents a significant drop from 3% in Q1. Among these caregivers, ⬆️73% were female (67%, Q1), while 27% were male. As in the previous period, this contrasts with the overall female usage of Loop (41%) during the same period, indicating that women disproportionately shoulder caregiving responsibilities for PLWD.
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Quotes from carers of PLWD:
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⬆️Three people who self-identified as belonging to minority communities used Loop in Q2 (two in Q1), two of them were female. While it is possible that more users are from minority communities but chose not to identify themselves, uptake from minority communities continues to be very low.
This contrasts sharply with the significant increase in sensitive reports received this quarter by Talk to Loop from minorities. See sensitive reporting later in the report.
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Although we have seen a slight drop in ⬇️Requests for Assistance (88%) (93%, Q1), continues to dominate community feedback. As funding and services have been reduced this quarter, it is expected that people are realising that their requests might be unanswered or met with negative responses. Nevertheless, and consistent with our Q1 report, we see a significant increase in protection-related reports. Together, these trends reveal a disturbing shift toward more urgent and immediate threats to communities.
The requests for assistance in the community feedback reveal overlapping vulnerabilities driven by climate shocks, conflict, and displacement. Climate change, particularly drought and failed rains, was the most frequently cited driver of need, with ⬇️8% (16%, Q1) of Loop users across Bay, Gedo, Mudug, Galgaduud, and Togdheer reporting crop failure, dying livestock, or water scarcity. ⬇️6% (18%, Q1) mentioned being affected by displacement, especially in Banaadir, Lower Shabelle, Sool, and Sanaag, where families fled conflict or drought and now reside in IDP camps or makeshift shelters.
Clan and other conflicts were noted by 16 people; many of whom cited violence, death and displacement from Qoryooley district in Lower Shabelle, Awdheegle district in Middle Shabelle, Sanaag, Jowle in Nugaal, Cadare in Galguduud, and Aboorey village in Hiran, and mentioned their need for humanitarian aid.
Quotes on displacement due to clan conflict and other fighting:
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⬆️ Requests for information constitute 5% of the total feedback received, a significant increase from Q1 2025 (2%) and close to Q4 2024 (6%). 88% of these requests came from individuals seeking either clarity about Loop’s purpose, services or operations.
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In these cases, Loop replies to them directly with standard information about our specific role as a tool for them to raise their feedback and ideas to specific organisations that they know of operating in their area, and we will tag those organisations inviting them to reply, for free, directly to them.
⏸️Concerns constitute 2% of the total feedback received. Concerns related to lack of services, disrupted aid, effects of drought and conflict, lack of jobs, education or health services. The urgent concerns vary by region and demographic. In the South and Central regions (Bay, Hargeisa, and Galmudug), drought, floods, and conflict have destroyed farms and livestock, displacing families into overcrowded camps lacking water, toilets, and healthcare, especially for women and children. Northern regions (Sanaag, Waqooyi Galbeed) face deforestation, violence, and limited access, particularly for minorities and the disabled.
Urban youth write concerns about a lack of jobs, while rural pastoralists share concerns about livestock loss. Systemic aid failures recur: unfulfilled registrations, discrimination in distributions (e.g., denied plumpy nuts for minorities), biometric registration with no follow-up services given etc.
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⬆️The “Thank You” messages (4%) from communities express gratitude to humanitarian organisations for their support across Somalia. Individuals specifically praise groups like WFP, ACF, SOS, FAO, SAADO, HIRDO, and Baxnaano for providing critical aid including food, healthcare, education, and agricultural assistance. Many note how these organisations have improved their living situation; from drought recovery and medical care to consistent community support.
Loop is repeatedly thanked for serving as a vital bridge between communities and aid providers, with callers appreciating its transparent platform that amplifies their voices, ensures effective referrals and resolution of complaints.
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The data shows a shift in assistance requests between reporting periods. We saw a significant decrease in requests for ⬇️cash (28%) (46%, Q1) yet at the same time the requests for ⬇️general assistance (52%) remained relatively stable (60%, Q1); suggesting a continued need for basic life saving support. This was particularly seen in urban centers like Mogadishu, Bosaso, and Kismayo.
Requests for ⬇️Food aid (15%) (20%, Q1) and ⬆️health services (10%) (4%, Q1) were also common, especially in rural and drought-affected regions. Additional needs include access to ⬇️water (4%) (6%, Q1), ⏸️shelter (3%), and ⏸️education (1.5%) (1.5%, Q1) where children have dropped out due to poverty or caregiving duties. People cited climate shocks in 10% of the feedback as a main factor contributing to their current circumstances.
52% of requests for assistance were for general assistance. Key issues include severe food insecurity, lack of shelter, and collapsed livelihoods, with displaced persons in urban camps and rural communities facing the most acute deprivation.
Vulnerable groups such as single mothers, orphans and child-headed households, the elderly, and disabled individuals struggle to survive, often relying on begging or unstable informal work. Many report losing livestock or crops to drought and floods, while others have been displaced with no access to aid.
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Cash assistance requests (28%) came from a wide variety of locations, including conflict zones and hard-to-reach districts (6%,, for example: Laascaanood (Sool), Beledweyne (Hiran), Ceerigaabo (Sanag) and Wanlaweyn (Lower Shabelle).
People requested cash, primarily to buy food, pay urgent debts including for medical bills, and cover rent/utilities. In both IDP camps and rural regions (e.g., Baydhabo, Ceeljaalle), cash was critical for immediate survival, including shelter repairs and water access after floods/droughts.
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The feedback from communities reveals severe and widespread food insecurity (15%) across Somalia, with the highest concentration of reports coming from Banaadir (Mogadishu) (7%), Lower Shabelle (Wanlaweyn) (6%), Hiran region (Jalalaqsi and Beledweyne) (5%), Bay (Baydhabo) (4%), and Waqooyi Galbeed (Gebiley and Hargeisa) (4%) followed by Middle Shabelle (3%), Sanaag (3%) and Sool (3%).
Individuals and families in these regions report extreme hunger, often going days without meals, with over 60% mentioning no food access for at least 24 hours and nearly 30% stating they have endured hunger for three or more consecutive days. Many displaced persons in IDP camps also live in dire conditions, facing food shortages due to drought, floods, and conflict that have destroyed livelihoods, livestock, and crops, resulting in them being displaced.
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10% of the users highlighted severe climate shocks, primarily droughts (70%) and floods (30%), across Somalia and Somaliland, with the hardest-hit regions being Lower Shabelle (Wanlaweyn) (15%), Galgaduud (Dhuusamareeb and Guricel) (9%), Bay (Baydhabo) (5%), Hiran (5%), Sool (5%), and followed by Middle Shabelle, Sanaag, Toghdeer and Waqooyi Galbeed (3% each).
Droughts have devastated pastoral and farming communities, killing livestock and destroying crops, while floods have displaced many households in riverine areas like Beledweyne (Hiran) and Jowhar (Middle Shabelle).
Many users reported food shortages, and some mentioned not having food to feed their children. Others cited water scarcity, forcing some women and children to walk to find water.
In flood-affected areas (Lower Shabelle, Hiran), many lost homes or shelters, and some reported outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
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Access to clean water and sanitation remained a concern for Loop users in the reporting period (4%). People reported acute water shortages particularly in Bay (Baydhabo) (19%), Lower Shabelle (Wanlaweyn) (19%), Sanaag (14%), Galguduud, Hiran, Mudug and Togdheer (8% each) where drought has dried wells, forcing households to walk daily for water, and sometimes paying exorbitant prices. Lack of clean water led to contamination-related illnesses, and some mentioned that IDP camps have no latrines, exacerbating hygiene risks. Floods in Lower Shabelle and Hiran have further contaminated water sources, destroying infrastructure.
Vulnerable groups including orphaned children, the elderly, and displaced families in camps like Lo’galwiine and Beledweyne face extreme hardship, with reports of child-headed households fetching unsafe water and elderly caregivers unable to travel long distances.
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Healthcare access remains a concern (4%) for communities who use Loop, as they continue to report a variety of health needs, including: urgent medical needs such as infectious diseases like measles and malaria; chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension; maternal and child health emergencies; and disabilities. Feedback was concentrated in Middle Shabelle (Balcad) (10%), Lower Shabelle (Wanlaweyn and Afgooye) (10%), Banaadir (Mogadishu) (8%), Waqooyi Galbeed (Hargeisa) (8%), and Galgaduud (Dhuusamareeb and Cadaado) and Sanaag (6% each).
Vulnerable groups, including elderly individuals, disabled persons, and malnourished children, report a lack of clinics in rural areas, such as Gudmo-Biyo-Cas and Barguudo.
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Shelter-related feedback (3%) were most frequently reported in Banaadir (Mogadishu) (13%), Bay, Lower Shabelle, Waqooyi Galbeed (8%) and in other regions such as Gedo, Galgaduud and Mudug.
Some people reported homelessness or inadequate housing, particularly among vulnerable groups: IDPs, single mothers, and orphaned children. Many live in flimsy makeshift shelters that offer no protection against rain, heat, or insects, while some reported sleeping in open spaces and occupying flood-damaged homes.
Displaced families from Lower Shabelle and Luuq endure overcrowded camps like Garas Ameerika (Baydhabo) with no tents, and single mothers and orphans lack even basic tarps, leaving them exposed to the elements.
There was an increase in sensitive reports coming from these displaced populations as well, specifically protection issues such as intimate partner violence.
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Education-related feedback accounted for (1.5%) of the total feedback. Individuals, including children, youth, and parents, reported being unable to access schooling due to poverty, lack of nearby schools, or unpaid fees. Reports came from different regions including Lower and Middle Shabelle and Mudug.
Orphans, displaced families, and single mothers requested educational support, as drought and conflict have destroyed livelihoods, forcing children out of school to survive.
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Loop tags organisations, including Loop, to respond to feedback on the platform. Out of those tags, ⬆️62% were replied to, which represents a significant increase from 21% in Q1. Replies by communities are replies by the original authors to the organisations’ reply showing a level of engagement with the community.
As seen in Q1, the replies to community feedback tend to come from organisations that Loop partners with, especially those within the GAASHAAN and BRCiS consortia.
Some examples of this:
Between April and June 2025, Loop handled a total of ⬆️ 275 sensitive reports, marking a significant increase from the previous quarter, which recorded 174 cases.
These reports were categorised into four main areas:
The number of cases opened grew steadily over the course of the quarter, with 70 in April, 99 in May, and 106 in June, highlighting a clear upward trend in reporting of sensitive feedback through Talk to Loop.
Of the 275 sensitive reports handled this quarter, ⬆️ 169 were related to protection concerns, almost doubling the number from the previous quarter (89), and confirming the upward trend in protection-related reporting.
Within this category significant increases were seen in reports related to child protection, which rose from 36 to 55 cases. GBV also saw a sharp increase, more than doubling from 35 to 77. General protection cases increased from 10 to 31. Reports concerning MHPSS remained low but stable, with a slight decrease from 4 to 5. Meanwhile, cases related to discrimination dropped slightly from 3 to just 1.
We observed a consistent monthly increase in both CP and GBV reports over the quarter. GBV cases rose steadily from 9 in April, to 29 in May, and 39 in June. Similarly, CP reports increased from 11 in April, to 17 in May, and 27 in June.
Many report hearing about Loop through word of mouth from other people who have had successful experiences.
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Loop also received and handled ⬇️ 30 complaints related to aid diversion, fraud, and corruption during this reporting period, a decrease from 38 cases in the previous quarter. Feedback more often raised concerns that humanitarian aid was not reaching those most in need, but was instead benefiting specific groups, individuals with personal connections, or those in positions of power, often along tribal or social lines. Complainants frequently mentioned favouritism in aid distribution, misallocation of resources, and a lack of transparency in the selection process. Additionally, a few reports also highlighted concerns about the involvement of community leaders in the aid process, pointing to risks of improper influence, with some noting that over-reliance on these leaders led to unfair registration and distribution of aid.
Some feedback highlights a need for greater clarity regarding the aid process and next steps, suggesting that a lack of transparency and information is contributing to diminished trust in humanitarian actors and in the criteria used to determine who receives assistance. Providing direct responses to community members, clearly explaining the process and final decisions, would help manage expectations and address outstanding questions.
This quarter was also marked by ⬆️ 4 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse. Three were reported in May, following a radio awareness campaign conducted by the PSEA network at the end of April, and one additional case was reported in June and is still being processed for referral (collecting consent) to the relevant organisations. These reports reflect the positive impact of awareness-raising efforts on community reporting behaviors. Among the four allegations, one submitted anonymously by a community member and involving two organisations in a single report, contained sufficient detail and was forwarded to the PSEA network for their follow-up, as the case involved multiple organisations. The remaining three reports are not currently actionable due to a lack of detail and the inability to reach the authors. However, two of these were referred to the respective organisations for their awareness.
Additionally, ⏸️ 3 sensitive reports were related to other forms of misconduct, including at least two allegations concerning disrespectful verbal communication by organisation personnel.
Loop handled ⬆️ 69 service-level complaints and non-sensitive requests this quarter, an increase from 44 in the previous one. A significant number of service level complaints mentioned interruptions in assistance, missing payments, and a lack of response after the collection of biometric data, such as fingerprinting. While non-sensitive requests may not have met Loop’s criteria for sensitive reporting, they were still handled through sensitive processes due to specific requests for follow-up calls, or the presence of multiple vulnerabilities requiring further follow up and attention.
During this quarter, a total of 67 allegations related to fraud, corruption, and service delivery were received. As per the previous quarter, cash assistance remained the most frequently reported, with 22 allegations/ complaints (33%). Followed by food security with 14 (21%), health with 5 (7%), and WASH with 4 (6%). Smaller proportions of allegations/ complaints were linked to NFI (3%), Nutrition (3%), and camp management (CCCM) (1.49%). A notable share (25.37%) did not specify a particular sector, and were more related to aid delivery in general.
As for the cash-related allegations/ complaints, they were submitted from various locations without a clear geographic pattern. However, a slightly higher number of these reports originated from Galgaduud, Bari, and Lower Juba, compared to the previous quarter which had more reports from Middle Shabelle, particularly Jowhar district.
Among the 275 sensitive reports handled this quarter, ⏸️ 87% were submitted by individuals reporting on their own behalf, while 13% (36 reports) were submitted by community members, parents, or relatives of survivors.
This quarter, a significantly larger share of sensitive reports were submitted by women, accounting for ⬆️ 61% compared to ⬇️ 39% submitted by men. This marks a shift from the previous quarter, when a slightly higher proportion of reports were submitted by male authors (54%) compared to female authors (46%). The increase in women and girls reporting was most notable in June.
This shift may be largely explained by a decrease in reports related to fraud, corruption, and service-level complaints, which have historically been more frequently submitted by men, combined with a significant increase in protection-related reports, which are more commonly submitted by women and girls.
As in the previous quarter, a greater share of protection-related reports concerned women and girls (76%), while reports related to corruption, fraud, and other service-level complaints were predominantly submitted by male authors (66%). Notably, in the final month of this quarter, 88% of protection-related reports were submitted by women and girls.
Regarding the individuals concerned by the reports, ⬇️ 20% concerned children and adolescents under 18, and ⬆️ 3 % related to persons aged 60 and above. In 32% of the cases, the age of the affected person was not specified by the author, and their age could not be confirmed due to the inability to reach them.
Additionally, this quarter, ⬆️ 32 sensitive reports were submitted by individuals from minority groups or clans, a sharp increase from just 3 reports in the previous quarter. A progressive increase was observed throughout the quarter, with many reports coming from individuals identifying as Jareer (Somali Bantu), Madhibaan, or Eyle, suggesting growing trust in the platform and possibly improved outreach or awareness among minority communities. Almost all of these reports related to protection concerns, notably GBV and CP, including cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) and domestic violence against children. Several reports also mentioned additional challenges such as substance abuse within the family, limited access to education, healthcare and income.
This quarter, ⬆️ 18 sensitive reports concerned PLWD, either the author themselves had a disability or they reported concerns related to family members with disabilities. This is a notable increase from the 5 reports in the previous quarter. The majority of cases involved individuals with physical impairments, while others concerned persons with visual, hearing, or psychosocial difficulties. These reports came from 10 different provinces, highlighting a wide geographic spread.
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In terms of location, sensitive feedback was received from ⬆️ all regions across Somalia, reflecting broader and more inclusive national coverage compared to the previous quarter, when some regions did not report any sensitive feedback. Among the 275 sensitive reports handled, 61 submissions (22%) did not include any location information. Follow-up efforts to verify these locations were often unsuccessful, as some authors were unreachable or had withdrawn their feedback.
Among reports with identified locations, the Banaadir region accounted for nearly 30% of all sensitive feedback (80 reports), by far the highest of any region. The majority of these came specifically from Kaxda and Daynille districts, with most reports related to GBV. This was followed by Galgaduud (22), Lower Shabelle (13), Middle Shabelle (12), Sanaag (11), Gedo (11), Sool (10) and Togdheer (10).
While report volumes varied, it is noteworthy that sensitive feedback was received from every region, including Middle Juba, where there is currently no humanitarian presence. This demonstrates the platform’s ability to reach people even in underserved and hard-to-access areas.
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Of the 275 cases opened this quarter, 173 were closed, while 102 remain in progress. Among the closed cases, 34 were closed successfully. The remaining 139 were closed for various reasons, including cases where authors could not be reached, no actionable solution was possible, or the report was withdrawn. Withdrawals often occurred when individuals were testing the number or when initial concerns were later clarified as general requests rather than protection-related issues. In cases where no actionable solution was possible, this was primarily due to survivors declining referral to protection services or, in some instances, Loop discontinuing contact based on risk assessments, when continued contact was deemed to pose a risk to the author.
Overall, individuals reporting issues related to corruption, fraud, or service-level complaints tend to be harder to reach to gain consent for referrals, than those submitting protection-related reports.
A total of ⬆️ 76 sensitive reports were referred during this reporting period. Of these, ⬆️ 46 referrals were made for assistance in protection-related cases, while ⬇️ 30 were referred to address allegations related to corruption, fraud, and service-level complaints.
During this reporting period, ⬆️ 88% of all referrals received an acknowledgment from the relevant organisation, reflecting an improvement from previous quarters. This includes a ⏸️ 91% acknowledgment rate for protection-related referrals and ⬆️ 83% for referrals related to allegations.
While this marks a positive trend, acknowledgment of allegation-related referrals often requires multiple follow-ups from Loop staff to the accused organisation. In several instances, responses remain pending, despite reminders being sent to the receiving organisations. Similarly, for protection-related referrals, although acknowledgments are generally timely, gathering confirmation on whether services were provided takes longer, suggesting the need for improved responsiveness from receiving agencies.
The referrals were sent to various types of organisations, including International NGOs (19 referrals), UN agencies (15), National NGOs (39), and Government entities (3). The corresponding response rates were 95% for International NGOs (18 responses), 73% for UN agencies (11 responses), 89% for National NGOs (35 responses), and 100% for Government entities (3 responses).
This is an increased response rate to sensitive referrals compared to all previous months. This improvement is driven by stronger engagement in clusters and working groups, increased coordination with protection organisations, and the training and onboarding of organisations who are part of two consortia (among others), which are actively integrating Talk to Loop into their programmes. These efforts have significantly enhanced the awareness of Loop within the consortium members, as well as greater understanding of the referral processes and not being surprised when they receive reports through Loop. This has directly translated to significantly higher response rates by their organisations which are actively engaged.
Of the 46 protection referrals made this quarter, 22 survivors have already received services, including 6 who are receiving long-term assistance. For 18 cases, updates on the services provided are still pending from the relevant organisation. This is primarily because the majority of these referrals were submitted in the final two weeks of the quarter, though organisations were generally responsive. In 5 cases, services were either declined by the survivor or not provided by the receiving organisation, primarily due to the nature of the case or the location of the survivor.
Case study: How can Loop reach the most isolated and underserved individuals?
The following two cases illustrate how Loop is able to support individuals at risk even when communication is difficult, access to services is limited, or when individuals are cut off from traditional support systems due to geographic or social isolation.
Example 1: Reaching people in need in remote and underserved areas of Somalia/ Somaliland
Loop received a call from a grandmother living in a remote rural area near the Dallo Mountains, a location with extremely limited access to services. She is the sole caregiver of her granddaughter. The child’s parents had married while underage and separated a few months after her birth. The father disappeared, and the mother relocated to another district, cutting all contact with the child and grandmother. The grandmother explained that her granddaughter was experiencing episodes of neurological distress and periods of unconsciousness, and urgently needed medical care. Due to the family's geographic isolation, she was unaware of available services and had no direct support system. This case demonstrates how Loop can bridge the gap between vulnerable individuals in underserved areas and services.
Example 2: Reaching individuals socially isolated or trapped in controlling environments
Loop also received a report from a young woman who identified herself as Ethiopian. She explained that at the age of 13, she was taken from Ethiopia by a woman who brought her to Somalia, where she was placed with a family to work. While living with this family, she reported being mistreated, and was later married off to a man with whom she currently lives, a man who, according to her, physically abuses her.
She expressed a strong desire to escape the situation and return to Ethiopia. However, she lacked the financial means to do so and feared for her safety. She reported that she could only use her phone while the man was away and was afraid of being caught.
Loop faced significant challenges in maintaining communication with her. At times, she could not engage in conversation with moderators due to the lack of privacy. Loop continued efforts to reach and support her, following her advice on how to keep her safe. Over time, and with sensitive follow-up, moderators were able to better understand the protection risks she faced and she was successfully referred for protection assistance to the Department of Family Affairs.
Since the increased conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2025, a number of national organisations have been asking for Loop to support them in listening to communities remotely. Of these, Action for Peace and Liberty (APL), a national CSO made up predominantly of volunteers has decided to use Loop in their field work.
They are using the Loop WhatsApp and Web input channels in French and have been inviting communities to report needs as they come across them, hoping to draw more attention to the issues facing their communities.
Loop does not have any confirmed funding for the DRC and is therefore not able to add on more accessible reporting channels (voice) or languages (Congolese Swahili and other local languages).
As a direct result of the staff and volunteers of APL raising awareness about the Loop channels, and only people who speak French and have access to the internet, Loop has received 66 pieces of open feedback and 26 sensitive reports in the first month. This shows a strong need and will to use an independent tool like Loop in the DRC and elsewhere.
Loop is actively trying to raise funds through INGOs, Institutional donors and environmental organisations, to open up in the DRC in 2025. We have identified a strong national host organisation with whom we are establishing partnership agreements etc and have continued interest from FONGI, the national INGO forum and CONAFOHD, a national NGO network. API continues to lead with active promotion of the Loop Lite service (WhatsApp/ Web/ french channels).
In June, Loop in the DRC received and processed 66 pieces of feedback via the Web channel. 23 pieces were published on our open platform, 15 were rejected and 26 were marked as sensitive. The feedback was moderated by volunteers from APL in the DRC.
Of feedback where the age was known (14), it came from community members who were 18 years or older; only 1 feedback was reported on behalf of an elderly male.
11 pieces of feedback came from females and 12 came from males. 1 piece of feedback came from a person living with a disability (PLWD).
Loop received 8 concerns, including 4 feedback related to oil exploration coming from individuals in North Kivu (Butembo), in Tshopo (Kisangani), and Mai-Ndombe. The 4 feedback, from a student in sustainable development, a fisherman, an environmental activist, and an ecologist, expressed concerns related to the risks and harm associated with oil exploration in protected forests. A danger that threatens biodiversity, livelihoods and community rights for people who depend on fishing and forest resources, and climate and environmental commitments.
Among other concerns, 2 feedback expressed concerns related to access to malaria vaccines and delivery during vaccination campaigns in Haut Katanga in areas around Lubumbashi. Feedback authors expressed concerns about the delay and lack of communication on when and how the vaccination would take place. There was also a fear that the malaria vaccination campaign may not reach remote areas, which could leave children without protection.
In North Kivu, one woman also reported a case of expropriation directly affected her, as she was informed that her house will be demolished and land seized due to airport expansion plans, while she had received no compensation or support to relocate. Another in Masisi reported that people are unable to buy essentials due to the circulation of worn-out Congolese franc notes. With banks still closed and no way to exchange the old bills, some retailers are refusing to accept them. This is creating additional hardship for families already facing economic difficulties in an unstable context.
In total 12 people requested some form of assistance. In North Kivu, a displaced mother requested a catch-up opportunity for her child who missed the measles vaccination campaign, while others in Masisi and Kashebere asked for urgent food distributions due to destroyed health centers, a lack of clean water, and widespread food insecurity. In Ituri, particularly in Tchabi, displaced community members reported child malnutrition and requested food assistance. In Kasaï-Central and Walikale (North Kivu), others appealed for agricultural and livelihood support, including veterinary care, seeds, and tools to replace lost livestock and destroyed farms. In Beni (North Kivu), individuals who had lost everything due to rebel attacks called for shelter and essential household items to rebuild their lives.
One feedback also highlighted needs for assistance in relation to the FONAREV (Fonds National de Réparation des Victimes de Violences Sexuelles liées aux Conflits et autres Crimes contre la Paix et la Sécurité de l’Humanité), the national reparations fund established to support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and other grave human rights violations. While the fund's arrival in some regions, such as Tshikapa, was welcomed, community feedback also emphasised that financial compensation alone is insufficient without addressing broader support needs and called for investment in healthcare infrastructure and personnel, noting that some health centers lack psychologists, medications, and adequate support.
6 people shared thank you notes about the resumption of education after the end of a teacher strike. Others were pleased to see the UN delegation visit them in Kibumba and Buhumaba in North Kivu, as they feel it is a sign their suffering is finally being recognised and a gesture of solidarity with those affected. As one woman shared, it helped people feel less isolated and brought emotional reassurance along with hope that more concrete support will follow.
Others expressed gratitude for support, specifically from the Programme de Promotion des Soins de Santé Primaires (PPSSP) organisation in Bwakadi (Ituri), Rapid Response Project in Tchabi (Ituri) and Caritas in Kashebere (North Kivu), for their presence, assistance, and timely distribution of essential items like pots, blankets, hygiene kits, and other relief materials.
During the reporting period, a total of 26 sensitive reports were received through Loop, in collaboration with APL staff conducting monitoring activities across various regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The feedback reflects a wide range of individual protection concerns, high levels of insecurity, human rights violations, service delivery gaps, and urgent humanitarian needs. It brings to life the lived experiences of affected populations, displaced individuals, and local responders in the DRC.
Sensitive feedback came from a diverse group of authors, with 10 submitted by women and 16 by men. In terms of age, at least one person was over the age of 60, three individuals fell within the 18–29 age range, and nine were between 30 and 59 years old. The remaining authors did not specify their age.
No feedback was recorded from persons identifying as having a disability. At least nine individuals explicitly reported being displaced. Among the locations they were displaced from, authors mentioned Kibumba, Kichanga, Nyiragongo, Shasha, and Kashabera in North Kivu, and Lopa in Ituri Province.
Geographically, the sensitive reports originated from a wide array of provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Kasaï, and Kasaï-Central. However, the majority came from North Kivu, which accounted for at least 15 of the sensitive reports.
A significant number concerned protection issues, particularly those linked to forced displacement, insecurity, and the violation of fundamental rights. Several individuals described being displaced from locations such as Lopa, Kibumba, Nyiragongo, and Kichanga due to violence, highlighting the ongoing protection risks faced by civilians.
Displaced populations in North Kivu, where displacement continues due to ongoing conflict and insecurity, are facing a range of unmet needs. Feedback highlights particularly severe health needs, with many unable to access functioning health facilities due to looting, insecurity, and the suspension of mobile clinics. Medication shortages and overcrowded health centers were also reported in Sake and Goma, leaving vulnerable individuals without essential care. Displaced families in Lubero and Goma also reported barriers to education, with children unable to attend or complete school due to repeated displacement, insecurity, or lack of financial means.
Two sensitive reports described challenges related to aid distributions in North Kivu, including registration issues for newly arrived displaced families who were not granted assistance, and disruption of ongoing distributions due to insecurity.
Insecurity and human rights violations were a recurring theme, with reports of arbitrary arrests, torture and killings, attacks on civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and IDP camps, and the discovery of bodies in public spaces, all contributing to a climate of fear and impunity. At least three reported attacks forcing school closures, road blockages, and the abandonment of businesses by shopkeepers.
Three reports were from health workers in Nyiragongo, Rutshuru and Masisi (North Kivu) mentioning the severe impact of insecurity on health service delivery. In Rutshuru, fighting led to the looting of a health center and the suspension of a mobile clinic, leaving over 25,000 people without care. In Masisi, ongoing violence, road blockages, and the loss of humanitarian staff have created a climate of fear among health workers, with concerns that activities may soon be suspended.
Among the sensitive feedback collected, three referred to FONAREV. While survivors and civil society actors welcomed the recent launch of FONAREV operations in areas such as Tshikapa (Kasaï), also expressed frustration over the delayed implementation, often taking place years after the violations occurred. The feedback reflected strong expectations for genuine support, justice for victims, and for the fund to fulfill its commitments. In another case from Dibaya (Kasaï-Central), questions were raised about whether survivors in that area would also be included, suggesting a lack of information on the planned geographic coverage and accessibility of the fund.
Several reports raised child protection concerns, including reports of children injured or killed during attacks, school disruptions due to displacement, and children affected by hunger and inadequate living conditions. The separation of family members during flight, such as the case of a mother searching for her son after fleeing Nyiragongo, further underlines the serious protection risks faced by the population, particularly in North Kivu. This is evidenced in the small quotes below:
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