Mobilizing the community for Ebola Dr Sourav Goswami JR-1, dept of Community Medicine 1

Ebola fight takes community approach Involving everyone: Social mobilization is key in an Ebola outbreak response 2

Stories from the field- 1 Community Response Group: How Kailahun district kicked Ebola out CRG volunteer Philip S. Lukulay holding a discussion on Ebola with okada bike riders CRG volunteers making their visit in the households and counseling the family members The Sierra Leone communities organize to form Ebola Response Group 3

Stories from the field- 2 R ole of religious leaders 4

Stories from the field: 3 Role of a teacher “I’ve been a teacher for 22 years, and people around here trust me, so when I and my colleagues approach them telling them how to prevent being infected by Ebola, they are more likely to listen,” says Mr. Kanboh. 5

Stories from the field- 4 " Wise people" help to fight Ebola in remote villages of Guinea “We are your brothers and sisters, we could never lie to you” says 60- year-old Marianne, as she walks from her motorbike towards a group of angry people in village Katkama. She opens her hand and offers a cola nut and a little money. It is a sign of peace and respect – and, in this case, the gesture works – the villagers begin to listen 6

Stories from the field-5 Spreading the word about Ebola through music and dance “Take away the fear, don’t hide yourself. People can still survive from Ebola,” so say the lyrics of the Ebola Rap, a song written by Charles Yegba, a Liberian artist seeking to raise awareness about the virus in his community. 7

Stories from the field: 6 ROLE OF STUDENTS Local students in Liberia became active Ebola case finders Ever since the closure of the university due to the Ebola outbreak, Tony Harrison, sociology student at the University of Liberia, has been trying to help stop the spread of the Ebola virus in his country. He joined the team of active case finders to go from house to house to find out if sick people are being treated. 8

Stories from the field: 7 Kick Ebola Out: By medical students 9

In this campaign, medical students went from house to house to disseminate the Ebola preventive guidelines that have been approved by WHO and Ministry of Health. Medical students also distributed chlorine and soap for hand disinfection. 10

“Vaccine is a powerful weapon against Ebola. So is knowledge. So is education” 11

“Each one of us has a role to play” 12

References 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US). Ebola (Ebola virus disease): 2014 West Africa outbreak [cited 2016 feb 1]. Available from: URL: Santibañez S, LaFrance A, DeBlois Buchanan A, Barnhill C. A 10-step approach for health communications with community- and faith- based organizations during public health emergencies. In: Neville Miller A, Rubin DL, editors. Health communication and faith communities. New York: Hampton Press; p UNICEF: A teacher’s turf: Community outreach in the fight against Ebola [cited 2016 Feb 1] Available from: Santibanez S, Siegel V, O’Sullivan M, Lacson R, Jorstad C. Health communications and community mobilization during an Ebola response: Partnership with Community and faith based organizations. Public Health Reports: March-April 2005; vol 130:p World Health Organisations. Ebola virus disease outbreak [Cited 2016 Feb 1] Available from: / 13