I’m going to start out this weblog by saying what is occurring in Afghanistan is actually heartbreaking. The Afghan individuals deserve higher, particularly in relation to our help.
With that, one nation has very a lot been prime of thoughts in relation to supporting the efforts to get individuals out of Afghanistan. And that’s Qatar. Partially it’s luck: the nation is a few hours flight from Kabul; Qatar has the most important US airbase within the area, at Al Udeid, and it additionally has relations with each the Taliban and NATO (Qatar has been internet hosting the US-Taliban talks for a number of years).
However that is solely a part of the story. Qatar’s International Ministry’s communications group has been distinctive. They’ve achieved various issues very nicely. And so they’re an instance of how authorities must be partaking with the media and on social media.
Spell out the story in numbers
Media like numbers. They wish to see the complete extent of what you’ve achieved. And each step of the best way, the group at Qatar’s International Ministry have been sharing updates on how many individuals have come by means of or are being hosted by Qatar. That quantity is now exceeding 40,000 individuals.
Make the story private
There have been so many tales of sorrow, but in addition hope. Two actually stand out for me. The primary is how Qatar helped to get out the Afghan feminine robotics group from Kabul, dashing by means of paperwork and getting them and their households onto flights. Take a look on the NBC interview carried out with two of the younger women, who’re actually inspiring. One other story which sticks in my thoughts is how Qatar’s ambassador to Afghanistan and embassy workers in Kabul have been driving individuals to the airport, going by means of Taliban checkpoints and utilizing their relations with the Taliban to make sure individuals protected passage.
All the time be Able to Have interaction
The ultimate piece of the puzzle has been the willingness of the International Ministry’s group to interact with the media. The Ministry’s spokesperson is Lolwah AlKhater, and she or he’s been formidable, reacting on-line and internet hosting individuals on the bottom.
The ministry have additionally pushed again on falsehoods, for example pushing back on a claim by an American woman that she helped get out the robotics team. The quote in there may be fairly one thing. And so they’ve not pushed Qatar into the whole lot. The story tells itself, however they’ve been readily available to assist. Which is what one of the best communicators do.
I typically snipe at authorities communications within the Gulf, for thus many causes. However Qatar’s International Ministry has proven what a world-class media group can do. They’ve achieved their nation proud.
