Breakthrough ACTION Guyana’s ‘Protecting you, Protecting us’ COVID-19 campaign produced a set of materials to inform the public about protection from the virus and to bring to their attention other issues regarding COVID-19.
Source: ‘Protecting You, Protecting Us’ COVID-19 Campaign Materials, Guyana
These infographics from the World Health Organization address issues of social stigma and discrimination around COVID-19. These are part of a series of infographics from WHO which can be found on the same page.
Source: Infographics on Addressing COVID-19 Social Stigma and Discrimination
In Burkina Faso, the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a variety of reactions among some Ouagadougou residents that have complicated efforts for a timely response. Hesitancy to get tested, avoiding contact tracers, or wariness of what the neighbors will say are some of these reactions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is working with the government to provide guidance to tackle stigma as well as support other aspects of the COVID-19 response, which is further explained in this article.
Source: Tackling COVID-19 Fear and Stigma
Stigma associated with COVID-19 poses a serious threat to the lives of healthcare workers, patients, and survivors of the disease.
In May 2020, a community of advocates comprising of 13 medical and humanitarian organisations including, among others, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the the International Hospital Federation, and World Medical Association issued a declaration that condemned more than 200 incidents of COVID-19 related attacks on healthcare workers and health facilities during the ongoing pandemic.
Source: Stigma During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Stigma can isolate people, prevent them from seeking medical care, and adopt healthy behaviors. This short video aims to learn more about how one can help to tackle stigma associated with COVID-19.
Source: What Can You Do to Fight Stigma associated with COVID-19?
This Guide aims to help orient people supporting the COVID-19 response to integrate psychosocial support skills into their daily work, thereby making a difference to the well-being of people they come into contact with during the pandemic. More specifically, the Guide is intended for health and social workers; emergency responders; people working in food stores, public transport, funeral parlours and pharmacies; employers and managers; and people who are providing support to vulnerable family members or members of their community.
The illustrated chapters provide practical advice for taking care of one’s own mental well-being, communicating with empathy, and helping people suffering from stress or severe distress. Case studies and tips to remember are included throughout.
Source: Basic Psychosocial Skills: A Guide for COVID-19 Responders
This social media card was created to counter stigma and discrimination towards COVID-19 patients. This was shared through the Facebook Page of the Department of Health.
Source: Social Media COVID-19 Anti-Stigma Cards
This short guide includes important considerations and resources to support country programs in recognizing and working to reduce stigma around COVID-19.
Source: Disrupting COVID-19 Stigma – Technical Brief
Due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) had prioritized Ethiopia, among 13 African countries, as the most vulnerable countries for importation of COVID-19. A recent Lancet publication reiterated this by describing Ethiopia as a highly vulnerable country with substantially larger population potential exposed yet with moderate capacity to contain the spread of the infection.
Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) is an essential component of health emergency readiness and response activities. The Ethiopia Public Health Institute (EPHI) has been proactively working on emergency readiness and response activities on COVID-19 since late January 2020. The Emergency Operation Center (EOC), housed in EPHI and usually activated during public health emergencies in the country, started its work by establishing a technical working group (TWG) on RCCE comprised of different stakeholders and health development partners.
Breakthrough ACTION Ethiopia is working closely with EPHI on COVID-19. To date, efforts have included technical assistance, training, tool development, and risk communication materials design, and logistical support to EPHI. The scope also includes focused support to the RCCE TWG, coordination on preparedness and response activities among several implementing partners, and training for Ethiopian Airlines flight and ground crew, as well as urban health extension workers and religious leaders.
Thus far, the project has produced the following materials:
Source (Amharic – Amhara, Central):
Source (Oromo):
Source (Amharic – SNNPR):
Source: (Tigrigna):
Source (Amhara): Ethiopia COVID 19 Posters – Amhara
Source (Central): Ethiopia COVID 19 Posters – Central
Source (Oromia): Ethiopia COVID 19 Posters – Oromia
Source (SNNPR): Ethiopia COVID 19 Posters – SNNPR
Source (Tigray): Ethiopia COVID 19 Posters – Tigray
It offers three steps:
This website is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Breakthrough ACTION Cooperative Agreement #AID-OAA-A-17-00017. Breakthrough ACTION is based at Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP).The contents of this website are the sole responsibility of Breakthrough ACTION and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, the United States Government, or Johns Hopkins University.
