In the face of recurring health crises and outbreaks of infectious diseases such as Ebola, malaria, yellow fever, and COVID-19. GIZ programmes across Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in Africa, together with their partners, are constantly engaging and co-creating collaborative and coordinated Pandemic Preparedness and One Health approaches to disease management.
Aligning with these efforts, in June 2024, the GIZ Regional Programme, Support for Pandemic Prevention in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), invited the joint East African Community (EAC) and GIZ Pandemic Preparedness programme to a stakeholder’s workshop hosted by the West African Health Organization in Banjul, Gambia. The meeting aimed to develop collaborative mechanisms for the effective engagement of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and community leaders in epidemic preparedness, with a particular focus on Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE).
The discussions highlighted the fundamental role of CSOs, given their deep-rooted community presence and local expertise, in leading efforts of awareness raising, providing primary health care and services, including health education and campaigns, and facilitating the involvement of public health authorities and community leaders to enhance the acceptance and implementation of public health measures.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of the West Arican Health Organisation (WAHO), Baboucarr Faal further emphasised the discussions by noting that community leaders and civil society enjoy high trust and credibility within their communities. He urged them to use this opportunity to sensitise, disseminate accurate information, and ensure adherence to the recommended guidelines during emergencies.
Additionally, the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health and the WAHO Gambia Focal Point, Babading Sabaly, noted that Risk Communication and Community Engagement are vital tools in the response, control, and recovery phases of public health emergencies, as outlined in the International Health Regulations.
For the EAC-GIZ Pandemic Preparedness programme, this meeting not only provided a platform to share experiences but was also a strategic step towards understanding and benchmarking the initiatives and approaches that have been undertaken by other African RECs and how they could be customised for the East African region.
Find more information on the EAC-GIZ Pandemic Preparedness programme here.