With support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), religious leaders in N’Zérékoré, in the heart of Guinea’s forest region where the West African Ebola outbreak first appeared, have taken the lead in informing their citizens on how to prevent the disease.
Together with political leaders, these prominent public figures have been organizing public outreach sessions on how to avoid Ebola and how to ensure calm and peace in these difficult times. In a city whose population is majority Muslim, both Islamic and Christian leaders have been offering prayer and practical advice.
In a session held on 16 November, they explained to hundreds of local residents the dangers of traditional burial practices. Instead, to protect families, bodies should be wrapped in sealed sheets.
They also detailed what to do if a family member looks unwell, explained the importance of washing hands with chlorine and spoke of helping health workers with their efforts.
“We are happy to see programmes such as this. As religious leaders we need to show not only to N’Zérékoré, but to all of Guinea that we are active against Ebola,” said the Chief Pastor in N’Zérékoré.
Such reinforcement from trusted leaders is vital. In an area badly shaken by the crisis, public support for the Ebola response is a vital step in preventing the spread of the disease.
In addition, UNDP, as part of a nationwide programme, has started to mobilize villages, targeting an estimated 428,000 people on how to prevent the spread of Ebola at the grassroots level. The programme is being implemented in collaboration with the government, as well as UNICEF, UNFPA and civil society organizations.
“Every area of Guinea, down to the household level needs to own this battle, be aware and spread the word. Working at the village level is the only way for Guinea to succeed. And that is what we are presently doing: operating at the grassroots,” said Séraphine Wakana, UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator in Guinea.
The programme is supporting committees consisting of village representatives, community workers, youths, religious leaders, teachers and survivors, who are helping to do contact tracing and identify new infections and orphaned children. Their mandate also includes promoting peace and dialogue, and helping to perform key functions such as safe burials and liaison between health workers and villages. Their work will be reinforced by messages carried on radio, television and in public meetings. UNDP will also provide training and hygiene kits to the committees.
