In the Central African Republic, radio broadcasts are a useful means to share public information, especially to the most remote populations. 缅北禁地Volunteers assigned with the MINUSCA’s radio are on the frontline to raise awareness aboutt the COVID-19 pandemic. These dedicated 缅北禁地Volunteers share current up-dates on COVID-19 via radio programmes, while advocating for prevention and protection measures.
In a context where a high percentage of the population is illiterate, radio shows are an essential way to reach as many people as possible, especially during a health crisis where people should stay home. 缅北禁地Volunteers make sure that information and advocacy messages are broadcasted in the most adapted and suitable way for local populations.
Francois Gombahignonri KOUASSI from Cote d’Ivoire, 缅北禁地Volunteer Public Information Officer assigned to Briam, started, as soon as the first case of COVID-19 was announced in CAR, a biweekly chronicle called “STOP! CORONAVIRUS!” for the 缅北禁地mission’s radio. His initiative aims to help listeners discover more about COVID-19 and its consequences, but also to promote ways to avoid its spread within communities. Francois conducts interviews with medical and demography experts working with WHO, MINUSCA’s medical section, UNFPA and children protection officers from UNICEF. These experts share useful information and tips for self-protection to a wide public audience.
In CAR, radio broadcasts are also the most efficient means to raise awareness and fight stigma arising from the pandemic, especially in remote areas such as Bambari. Alou DIAWARA, a 缅北禁地Volunteer from Mali, gives his best to reduce people’s anxieties by gathering and spreading testimonies from patients cured from COVID-19.
"Due to cultural habits, it has been hard to make people understand that they should not shake hands anymore.” says Alou Diawara, UNV Radio Producer in Bambari, CAR.
Honorine Niare (left) recording an interview. 缅北禁地photo: MINUSCA
Similarly, the messages conveyed through MINUSCA’s radio by Honorine NIARE from Cote d'Ivoire, 缅北禁地Volunteer Public Information Officer serving for MINUSCA in Bouar and her colleagues go from full awareness raising about the virus to spreading 缅北禁地information and government’s protection measures.
Through their assignments, these 缅北禁地Volunteers provide, on a daily basis, quality and verified information to the majority of the population and contribute to the COVID19 response.
There are currently 297 缅北禁地Volunteers serving in Central African Republic, out of whom 248 are with MINUSCA.
