Providing West African communities with sound information crucial to curbing spread of Ebola – UN

Together with Ministries of Health and other partners across seven countries in West Africa, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is using culturally-sensitive communication strategies to disseminate life-saving information in order to contain the often-fatal Ebola virus, through text-messaging, radio shows, TV programmes and door-to-door campaigns.

“Most of the people in this part of the world had never heard of Ebola before,” said Dr. Guido Borghese, UNICEF’s Principal Advisor Child Survival and Development for West and Central Africa.

“In this environment, unfounded fears and rumours spread quickly and widely. More than ever, it is crucial that families have both the means and the right information to protect themselves and prevent dangerous misunderstandings.”

In collaboration with partners such as the Red Cross and the UN World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF mass and digital media, as well as inter-personal communication activities, are being carried out to prevent people from contracting the virus, particularly in mosques, churches, schools, health centres and markets.

These “information blasts” are being implemented in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal, Mali and Guinea-Bissau, where UNICEF is also providing critical prevention supplies, such as soap, chlorine, and gloves to the people in affected communities.

Radio dramas, print materials, TV shows, and even voice messages are automatically sent to mobile phones – we use every appropriate means of communication to reach more people, spread the word in local languages and save lives,” explained Dr. Borghese, as he stressed that “we are running against time to avoid further spread in West Africa.”

The region is facing its first major Ebola outbreak. The disease, which has no vaccine and no cure, has already claimed 111 lives in Guinea and neighbouring Liberia as of 8 April. In total, a growing number of 178 suspected, probable and confirmed cases has been reported in Guinea and Liberia, as well as six suspected cases in Mali.

“Ebola kills people; but more lives are put at risk because of lack of information or misinformation though rumours,” stressed Borghese. “There is no existing vaccine against Ebola. Bringing patients with suspected symptoms to health centres as soon as possible increases their chances of survival and prevents other people from getting infected.”

In order to provide disinfectant products, essential medicines, life-saving supplies, and communication support, UNICEF is urgently appealing for $1.2 million for Guinea and almost $1.3 million for neighbouring countries including Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Guinea Bissau and Mali.