Planning and implementation of risk communication and community engagement action plan in the battle against COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak attained pandemic status and has created a scare among the general community and the public health authorities. Risk Communication and Community Engagement have been identified as the essential and the integral component of the national emergency preparedness and response strategy. The entire communication process should target both the vulnerable population as well as the people who act as a representative or change agent in the community. The information which is delivered to the community should be decided on the basis of the need assessment of the vulnerable population and it should not be presumed that something is quite obvious and thus there is no need to focus on it. In conclusion, risk communication and community engagement are the crucial aspects of our preparedness and response in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. It is extremely important to establish the risk communication mechanism in the emergency response system and then follow-it up with proper planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation activities.