Measures to Ensure the Continuity of the Response to Malaria in the Americas during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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The PAHO Regional Malaria Program is aware of the imminent negative impact that the present COVID-19 pandemic is causing in the countries and their health systems, and consequently, in the fight against malaria in the countries of the Americas; considers that it is essential to guide national authorities; and draws attention to the main measures to be taken to maintain the continuity of actions against malaria, while protecting the health of healthcare workers and in line with national provisions for response to COVID-19. Malaria-specific guidance on the response to COVID-19 has been developed by WHO1 and is the main reference for this document.

This material is subject to updates by WHO and PAHO on malaria and on the COVID-19 response.

Source: Measures to Ensure the Continuity of the Response to Malaria in the Americas during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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COVID-19 Risk Communication and Community Engagement Toolkit for Humanitarian Actors

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The purpose of this toolkit is to offer non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other humanitarian response actors a suite of guidance and tools they can use to rapidly plan and integrate Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) into their COVID-19 response. Given the rapidly changing nature of the pandemic, these tools and guidelines will be updated as needed. This toolkit was developed by the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs and Save the Children through the READY initiative, which is funded by USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA).

Source: COVID-19 Risk Communication and Community Engagement Toolkit for Humanitarian Actors

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    SBCC for Emergency Preparedness Implementation Kit

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    The purpose of this I-Kit is to provide a set of key considerations for SBCC activities in emergency situations.

    This I-Kit provides essential information and tools for responding to an outbreak using an SBCC approach. It presents a series of nine units, each accompanied by exercise worksheets to help link the SBCC theory to practice.

    Each unit builds on the one prior, and they all combine to provide key information for developing an SBCC strategy. It is not essential, however, to work through the I-Kit from start to finish. Users can choose to focus on specific aspects for which they need support in their emergency communication response. The nine units and corresponding worksheets are outlined in the I-Kit Site Navigator.

    The worksheets in each section are typically followed by a completed example. The completed examples will likely include information about an emergency that, during an actual event, might not be immediately available. This was done to illustrate the full range of information to inform a strategic communication response.

    This kit is also available in Portuguese.

    Source (English): SBCC for Emergency Preparedness Implementation Kit

    Source (Portuguese): Comunicação para a Mudança Social e de Comportamento para Preparação de Emergência

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    COVID-19 and Child, Early, and Forced Marriage: An Agenda for Action

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    This brief is intended for development partners, including government and civil society actors. It provides recommendations and resources for responding to the needs of adolescent girls during the COVID-19 crisis and recovery period, including those at risk of early marriage and those who are already married and in informal unions.

    It focuses on how adolescent girls, particularly those at risk of marriage or already married girls will be affected in the short- and longer-term.

    Source: COVID-19 and Child, Early, and Forced Marriage: An Agenda for Action

    Views 832

    Prevent, Detect, Respond: How Community Health Workers can Help in the Fight against COVID-19

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    In previous epidemics, rapidly expanding healthcare teams through community health workers (CHWs) has proven to be fundamental to an effective response. During recent Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemics in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and west Africa, nations like Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria, and the DRC rapidly hired, trained, and equipped thousands of CHWs from communities affected by or at risk of Ebola.

    Source: Prevent, Detect, Respond: How Community Health Workers Can Help in the Fight against COVID-19

      Views 506

      COVID-19 Hygiene Hub

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      The COVID-19 Hygiene Hub is a free service to help actors in low- and middle-income countries rapidly share, design, and adapt evidence-based hygiene interventions to combat coronavirus.

      The Hygiene Hub offers connection with others working on COVID-19, searching resources, and asking questions of technical experts.

      Source: COVID-19 Hygiene Hub

      Views 757

      COVID-19 and Violence against Women

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      Violence against women remains a major threat to global public health and women’s health during emergencies. It is the most common form of violence.

      Violence against women tends to increase during every type of emergency, including epidemics. Older women and women with disabilities are likely to have additional risks and needs. Women who are displaced, refugees, and living in conflict-affected areas are particularly vulnerable. As distancing measures are put in place and people are encouraged to stay at home, the risk of intimate partner violence is likely to increase.

      Although the COVID-19 pandemic has placed an immense burden on health systems, including frontline health workers, there are things that can help mitigate the effects of violence on women and children.

      Source (English): COVID-19 and violence against women

      Source (Français): COVID-19 et violence à l’égard des femmes

      Source (Pyccкий): COVID-19 и насилие в отношении женщин

      Source (中文): COVID-19 和暴力侵害妇女行为

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      How Your Community can Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

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      This document suggests key actions on how your community can stay safe and slow down the spread of COVID-19, particularly for contexts where you might have been asked by your local authorities to maintain physical distance or stay home.

      The advice is to localize and implement three basic steps:

      1.  Learn
      2.  Act
      3.  Help

      Source: How Your Community can Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

      Views 716

      Guidance for the Homeless

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      This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.

      Source: Guidance for the Homeless

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