COVID-19 Awareness Commences within Communities

Launched on Monday 11th May, volunteers of the COVID-19 Sensitization and Awareness Campaign successfully reached emaSwati of all ages, throughout the campaign’s first week, with important health messages in the Hhohho and Manzini regions, to ensure that no one is left behind in Eswatini’s battle against the coronavirus.

Volunteers shared messages with residents using loud hailers and printed materials, including leaflets and posters for local businesses. Residents from Nkoyoyo and Mpolonjeni came to hear and receive information on COVID-19 from volunteers including helpful tips on how best to sanitize and wash hands, how to use and access masks as well as answers to their questions and concerns.

In an act of solidarity with Eswatini Government and partners, the UN is supporting the campaign by training 80 volunteers, with the guidance of the World Health Organisation (WHO), providing 20 loud hailers, 10,000 re-usable masks and information materials.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Nathalie Ndongo-Seh stated; "This Coronavirus Sensitization and Awareness Campaign is building up and adding to on-going efforts aimed at sustaining critical messaging to ensure that every liSwati is reached to protect themselves and their families so that we can save the lives and livelihoods in this beautiful nation,”

“As the UN family, we are honoured to be in solidarity with the regional teams. Our volunteers are female and male, of many ages, backgrounds and some have a disability. It's wonderful to witness their eagerness and commitment as they prepare to enter the field: we wish them well and are here to support them every step of the way to ensure their protection."

The campaign is being implemented over three months with support from the UN, by the Regional Task Forces in partnership with NDMA, CANGO, NERCHA and many other partners including the private sector and the media in urban and peri-urban areas considered as COVID-19 hotspots in Manzini, Matsapha, Ezulwini and Mbabane municipalities.