Risk communication and Community Engagement

Health Emergency Response: Ebola and COVID-19 Prevention Efforts

In line with GHDF’s mission to support vulnerable populations particularly refugees and host communities,GHDF partnered with UNICEF to implement emergency health awareness campaigns aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola and later on COVID-19.

Launched in response to the 2018 Ebola outbreak in neighboring countries, the initiative targeted high-risk refugee settlements located in districts bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo and local community, where Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases was confirmed. The project later expanded to address the COVID-19 pandemic as it emerged.

Key Activities and Results:

  • Reached over 150,000 individuals with targeted health education and disease prevention messages across multiple districts.

  • Trained 10000 Community Health Workers and volunteers in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) to support behavior change at the grassroots level.

  • Established handwashing stations and distributed hygiene supplies in refugee camps and host communities.

  • Engaged local leaders, schools, and religious institutions to amplify messaging and encourage widespread community participation.

Through these efforts, the project significantly strengthened local preparedness and response capacity, helping to reduce the risk of widespread transmission in some of the most vulnerable areas.

Why It Mattered:

GHDF with partners was able to act quickly and effectively. By investing in community-led awareness and prevention, communities facing multiple layers of risk were protected and built resilience.

In alignment with GHDF’s mission to support vulnerable populations, particularly refugees and host communities, we partnered with UNICEF to implement emergency health awareness initiatives aimed at curbing the spread of Ebola and later COVID-19.

Initially launched in response to the 2018 Ebola outbreak in neighboring countries, the project focused on increasing awareness and promoting infection prevention and control (IPC) measures across refugee camps in Rwanda. In 2020, the focus swiftly shifted to COVID-19, targeting high-risk areas particularly Mahama Refugee Camp, home to over 50,000 refugees.

Key Activities and Outcomes:

  • Community-Based Awareness Campaigns: GHDF trained and deployed local influencers to disseminate accurate health information and IPC guidelines. These individuals became frontline educators in their communities, conducting:
    • Door-to-door outreach
    • Small group discussions
    • Awareness sessions in public spaces such as markets and schools
  • Capacity Building: Collaborating with camp management, local authorities, and stakeholders, GHDF trained influencers on both Ebola and COVID-19 prevention, with an added focus on Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strategies to ensure long-term behavior adoption.
  • Adaptable Response Mechanisms: Implementation approaches were reviewed and adjusted regularly to respond to the evolving nature of the pandemic, ensuring continued relevance and effectiveness.

These targeted efforts helped build community resilience, improve hygiene practices, and reduce the risk of disease transmission in some of the most vulnerable settings.