Partner: German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)
Location: West Africa
Challenge
Epidemics pose a constant threat to populations around the world. The World Health Organisation has identified at least 40 new outbreaks of Lassa Fever, Ebola, Yellow Fever, and Measles in West Africa over the last 5 years. This makes the region one of the most susceptible to epidemics in Sub-saharan Africa. When epidemics happen, timely and accurate information in culturally appropriate language can empower populations to adopt behaviours that help them protect themselves and their communities from disastrous diseases.
The GIZ Regional Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness programme engaged Gatefield to assist in strengthening the capacity of the ECOWAS regional centre for surveillance and diseases control’s risk communication and community engagement function towards managing health emergencies in the region to prevent an outbreak of future pandemics.
Approach
Communications Strategy: Gatefield developed a communications strategy and communications products to help the public understand the One Health approach. We also gave the project a brand new visual identity.
Key Message Development: We supported the development of a key message toolbox for dengue, diphtheria and lassa fever. Each toolbox offers a one-stop for information pertaining to the disease, describing outbreak potential and presenting key message cards to help target audiences take action to prevent the spread of disease.
Capacity Building: Gatefield created a key message map of infectious diseases prevalent in ECOWAS member states. Message themes like “transmission modes,” “prevention,” “treatment” and “survivor stigma” highlighted areas of key messaging focus. The database formed the basis for practical activity during a message and tool development capacity building session facilitated by the Gatefield team in Liberia.
Outcomes
- Strengthened capacity of key RCCE personnel from fourteen ECOWAS member states to develop standard key message toolkits to be better equipped to communicate during future pandemics.
- Legacy products developed to help the ECOWAS RCSDC share lessons among each other and to better advocate for ONE Health systems approach to health security.
