Sensitization

Communities’ Sensitization and Awareness Campaign around COVID-19 by CSOs

1. Background

From January 2020 to 14^th March 2020, the Ministry of Health deployed staff at the POEs to support in COVID-19 screening for all people coming in the Country from affected areas like China, etc.

While there was no specific treatment for the infection, immediate supportive care and medical treatment was imperative to persons under investigation.

In an attempt to stop the coronavirus, The Government of Rwanda announced a two-weeks lockdown starting with the 22^nd March 2020. Both public and private employees are to work from home, under strict measures. All borders are also closed, cargo and Rwandan nationals being exempt, with a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Interventions by Rwanda NGOs Forum on HIV/AIDS and Health Promotion and National NGOs

Rwanda NGOs Forum on HIV/AIDS and Health Promotion (RNGOF on HIV/AIDS & HP) leadership and Secretariat Team have worthily put a lot of efforts in searching and sharing through social media channels right information on how to fight against COVID 19; Symptoms and respect measures by the Government so that the pandemic can be controlled in Rwanda. Rwanda NGOs Forum members who are National NGOs were mobilized to strongly support the implementation of the Government plan related to fight against COVID-19 by sensitizing the community.

1. Measures by the Government of Rwanda from 16^th March 2020

• Prevention measures announced by the Government of Rwanda were shared to All Rwanda NGOs Forum members for them to start adopting and respecting them
• National NGOs (Member Organizations) shared widely the same information to the communities including their beneficiaries in their respective area of operation so that communities can be aware and respect Government measures.

• Airport and all boarders are closed
• Tourism and travelers cancelled and closed
• Non-essential businesses are closed
• Travels between cities and districts are suspended
• Non-essential movements outside the home are not permitted
• Sports outside the homes are not permitted
• Any Rwandans or legal resident returning in the Country will be will be subject to a 
Mandatory of 14 days quarantine to a designated location
• The Population is locked down (No unnecessary movements unless of an emergency or 
moving to the market for food).

1. COVID 19 Symptoms

a). Dry cough,
b). Shortness of breath, c). Fever,
d). Fatigue

2. Prevention methods

• Wash hands frequently with clean water and soap or hand sanitizer
• Social distancing. Avoid going to crowded places. And put a distance of 1m between one person and another
• Cover mouth and nose with a clean cloth or a tissue while coughing or sneezing in a public. Throw the used tissues or cloth to the dust bin and immediately wash hands with clean 
water and soap Use Masks to cover mouth and nose when in a public place
• Stay at home
• The communities to report any COVID-19 symptoms for immediate testing and treatment.
• Through the sensitization by Rwanda NGOs Forum members, communities were informed that anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID 19 can reach “Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC)” for Help through bellow address:

• Call a Toll-free number 114 or
• Dial #114 for automated screening or
• Emal: callcenter@rbc.gov.rw or
• Send whatsaap message: +250788 20 20 80

Key Notes to take :

• The sensitization and awareness campaign is being delivered using flyers and videos

through social media channels (including Twitter, facebook, Whatsaap groups and Youtube

• CSOs are facing a huge challenge of getting resources to continue delivering the sensitization and awareness Campaign. This affects the implementation of prevention messages to the communities as CSOs work closely and moves together with the communities.

Call to Partners

• There is need for Partners to support CSOs to be able to continue implementing prevention interventions related to COVID-19 by engaging different medias as CSOs work closely to the communities
• There is need to Support CSOs and Communities to monitor interventions related to COVID-19 and other health related programs done at the community level and document cases related to stigma and discrimination, GBV and human rights violation towards most Vulnerable Communities for evidence based advocacy and bring solutions to the Government on how businesses can be done better to save lives of those at risk and most vulnerable

For more information, or any partnership with Rwanda NGOs Forum on HIV/AIDS and Health Promotion (RNGOF on HIV/AIDS & HP) or National NGOs, please contact us at:

Email: rwandangoforumrw@gmail.com

Mob: +250 783 699 602