Community engagement is necessary to halt the spread of Ebola. People need to understand how to protect themselves and their families, care for and transport the sick, and enable officials to safely bury the dead.
These featured materials are examples of communication tools being used in communities now. Before using them in a new community or context, communication materials should always be tested with a group of community members to be sure the material is understood and the message(s) will be understood. Often adaptations in language and graphics are needed to tailor materials to local needs.
Brochures
Checklists
Ebola Risk Communication Plan Checklist
PAHO, English/Spanish, 2014
This checklist identifies 10 key components and tasks for both countries and the international community that should be completed within 30, 60, and 90 days respectively from the date of issuing this list. Minimal required resources—in terms of equipment and material as well as human resources—are defined. Key reference documents such as guidelines, training manuals, and guidance notes will help the technical experts to implement required action in the key components.
Consolidated Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness Checklist
WHO, English, 2014
The consolidated checklist for Ebola virus disease preparedness aims to help countries to assess and test their level of readiness. It can be used as a tool for identifying concrete action to be taken by countries and how they will be supported by the international community to close gaps. It is based on efforts by various national and international institutions, including WHO, CDC, and UN OCHA. The checklist identifies 10 key components and tasks for both countries and the international community that should be completed within 30, 60, and 90 days respectively from the date of issuing this list (Note: this checklist will be updated based on the feedback received from countries).
Responding to the Avian Influenza Pandemic Threat: Recommended Strategic Actions PAHO, English/Spanish, 2009
Given the potential impact of pandemic influenza, this document offers detailed plans on what to communicate, how to communicate, who should be doing the communicating, and how to plan and revise for all pandemic phases and for all audiences. When an outbreak or pandemic emerges, communication goals shift to focus on accompanying containment activities, ensuring that the public, in part via media, is provided health messages, supports recommendations, and that health personnel are informed, prepared, and ready to act. Given the anticipated social disruption of a pandemic, communication activities must be well in place before its arrival in order to support and activate public health contingencies and ultimately save lives. Each section of this guide focuses on a target audience and will require an action plan detailing how each activity is to be carried out. The plan also should include the goals, methods, participants, and costs for each activity. Subsequent annexes serve as examples and provide additional information on such topics as key messages, ways of dealing with the media, and basic aspects of risk communication.
Ebola Management Checklists for Health Care Workers
CDC, English, 2014
This set of checklists offers health care workers guidelines in treatment of Ebola. The set includes information on medical services, health care coalitions, hospital checklist, provider preparedness, and health center preparedness.
Ebola Risk Communication Plan Checklist - Ghana
English, 2014
Adapted from the PAHO checklist, this checklist includes steps to develop and implement and national risk communication strategy for Ebola.
CDC, English, 2014
Checklist instructs medical personnel to “think Ebola” because early recognition is critical for infection control. It includes instructions of what to do in four areas: initiate, identify, isolate, and inform.
Check List for Creating a Communication Strategy for Pandemic Influenza
PAHO, English, 2005
Lays out the steps for preparedness for a pandemic influenza outbreak, including strengthening risk communication activities. Pre-pandemic, it is important to implement and communication strategy and encourage pre-pandemic planning.
Communication Plans
Communication Plan for Announcing First Case of Confirmed Ebola
CDC, English, 2014
This document describes possible health communication activities supporting the public announcement of this first case of Ebola diagnosed in your country.
UNICEF/USAID, English, 2009
The guideline provides a framework for planners to develop country-specific social mobilization and behavior change communication strategies for pandemic influenza. These strategies incorporate communication objectives, participant groups, desired behaviors, types of messages, selection of channels, and approaches to communication planning and implementation in support of country-level efforts for pandemic influenza response.
Liberia Ebola Response Strategic Communication Plan
English, 2014
Some objectives of this plan are to support adoption of protective measures, increase self-efficacy among the population, engage key partners, and build health literacy.
Template Communication Plan for First Case of Ebola Diagnosed in [name of country]
English, 2014
This document describes possible health communication activities supporting the public announcement of a first case of Ebola diagnosed in a country. It lists communication goals, key assumptions and considerations, messages, guiding risk communication principles, primary communication channels, audiences, audience-based channels, and examples of activities.
Contingency Plans
UN, French, 2014
Plan includes:
- focusing on border regions that have more than 70 percent of the epidemic;
- providing motivational incentives to health workers;
- Ensuring the safety and protection of all national and international staff involved in the fight against Ebola;
- Strengthening the capacity for monitoring, tracking contacts, case management, and capacity laboratory;
- Involving all sectors including the private made in the implementation of immediate interventions defined in the national response plans against the epidemic; and
- exchanging experiences and sharing resources in the sub-regions.
Fact Sheets
Community Level Ebola Fact Sheet
CDC, English, 2014
This fact sheet can be used to explain Ebola at the community level. Information includes description of Ebola, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, transmission, and prevention.
APHA, English, 2014
APHA’s Get Ready campaign helps Americans prepare themselves, their families and their communities for all disasters and hazards, including pandemic flu, infectious disease, natural disasters, and other emergencies. This fact sheet addresses Ebola.
Various producers, 2014
A collection of 58 Ebola fact sheets created by WHO, CDC, and various Ministries of Health.
International SOS, English, 2014
Information about the virus, its spread, detection, treatment, previous outbreaks, and different strains of Ebola.
Datasets
Humanitarian Data Exchange, English, 2014
Up-to-the-minute datasets on the reach of the virus, health facilities, etc.
Flipbooks
Things Everyone Should Know and Do
MOH Liberia, WHO, UNICEF, English, 2014
Flipbook with information for community members about the signs and symptoms of Ebola, how it spreads, how one can protect oneself, what to do if a family members has signs of Ebola, how to care for an Ebola patient, how to handle a dead body.
Forms
Cote d’Ivoire MOH, French
Rapid assessment form for travelers to and from Cote d'Ivoire.
Guidelines
Crisis and Outbreak Communication Pandemic Flu and Other Disasters
PAHO, English, 2007
Elements of this presentation are:
- understanding of crisis/outbreak communication,
- communication crucial to managing crisis,
- explain WHO Outbreak Guidelines, and
- working with the media.
Effective Media Communication during Public Health Emergencies – A WHO Handbook
WHO, English, 2005
The handbook describes a seven-step process to help public health officials and others to communicate effectively through the media during emergencies. The process is based upon the belief that it is better to take action to positively guide events and situations before they occur than to respond after they develop. By implementing such an approach, public health organizations and officials will be in a much stronger position to guide media coverage and ensure that their messages become highly visible and clearly heard.
WHO, English, 2014
This protocol provides information on the safe management of dead bodies and burial of patients who died from suspected or confirmed Ebola virus disease. These measures should be applied not only by medical personnel but also by anyone involved in the management of dead bodies and burial of suspected or confirmed Ebola patients. Twelve steps have been identified describing the different phases Burial Teams have to follow to ensure safe burials, starting from the moment the teams arrive in the village up to their return to the hospital or team headquarters after burial and disinfection procedures.
WHO, English, 2014
WHO issued this roadmap for scaled-up response to the Ebola outbreak. The goal is to stop Ebola transmission in affected countries within six to nine months and prevent international spread. The roadmap will assist governments and partners in the revision and resourcing of country-specific operational plans for Ebola response, and the coordination of international support for their full implementation.
Advice for Individuals and Families
WHO, English, 2014
This Ebola guidance gives hands on advice for households on how to act around a person suspected to have Ebola.
Infographics
Ebola Infographics for the Community
Various, English, 2014
These seven infographics help community-level communication in spreading understanding of Ebola. Included are the following:
Interventions Matrices
Plan d'Action de Lutte contre la Maladie à Virus Ebola en Cote d'Ivoire
Cote d’Ivoire MOH, French, 2014
Matrix lists activities, expected results, organization responsible for the activity, timing, and cost for each activity under eight objectives
Message Development
Ebola in West Africa: Combating Both Virus and Myths
US Department of State, English, 2014
Results of a focus group about the myths surrounding Ebola and a list of messages designed to combat those myths.
Key Message Guidance Package for the Ebola Outbreak in Liberia
WHO, UNICEF, Healthy Life, MOH Liberia, English
The purpose of this document is to provide government agencies, response committees and teams, and media outlets with clear, accurate and consistent information to use for raising awareness, mobilizing communities, and promoting safe behaviors to stop the spread of Ebola in Liberia.
Key Messages for Social Mobilization and Community Engagement in Intense Transmission Areas
WHO, English, 2014
This guidance provides key community messaging for areas of intense transmission of Ebola virus disease. The exponential rise of Ebola cases and deaths in West Africa makes clear the urgent need for practical messaging and engagement of individuals, families, and key stakeholders in a community. The messages should be used to inform, educate and engage different audience groups depending on their level of risk, vulnerability, presence in contact areas, care of patients with Ebola, or engagement or attendance of burials.
Message Guide for Ebola Virus Disease
Médecins sans Frontières, English, 2014
This guide brings together the main messages that community health workers (CHWs) need to know. All activities at the health facilities should utilize the Information Education Communication (IEC) materials as tools explaining them to patients and the community. In addition this guideline may be used in outreach and supported by IEC materials.
Ebola Awareness Talk and Poster
International SOS, English, 2014
Short, image-based courses and posters that do not require high levels of literacy. These are designed for affected areas to communicate key messages about Ebola in 29 languages.
Messages for the Preparedness Phase Countries Neighboring Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea
List of messages that sow hope, lower fear and stigma, set expectations, redefine success, build reassurance and confidence in health authorities and empower citizens.
Message Guide for Ebola Communications
The purpose of this guidance package is to provide government agencies, response committees and teams, media outlets, partners, and community leaders with accurate and consistent information to use when communicating about Ebola in Liberia.
Mobile Apps
Ebola App, What You Need to Know
International SOS, English, 2014
This app offers links to the latest news and development on Ebola; Outbreak outlook; Maps showing affected areas; Live International SOS twitter feed; Educational video on staying safe whilst travelling; Push notifications for key information to keep you informed and safe; Access to the International SOS Ebola website with downloadable resources.
Ebola Virus Disease Prevention App
Innovative Technologies for Development Foundation (IT4D), English, 2014
Features include up to date information, outbreak maps, prevention information, and hot zone detection.
CDC, English, 2014
Physicians, nurses, epidemiologists, and other public health workers lacking a background in information technology can use this app to allow the rapid creation of data collection instruments and data analysis, visualization, and reporting using epidemiologic methods. This is a suite of lightweight software tools and applications.
Music
Malinke, Bambara, Sousou, Lingala, 2014
A dozen African musicians, including the Guinean Mory Kanté, the Ivorian Tiken Jah Fakoli, the Malians Salif Keita and Amadou and Mariam, as well as some Congolese musicians produced a song called “AFRICA STOP Ebola” to educate people in Ebola prevention. Written both in French and in indigenous languages spoken widely in the affected regions in Africa including Malinke, Sousou, Bambara, and Lingala. Messages from the song are very simple and resonate well even with the local contexts: “Trust doctors,” “do not touch sick or dead people,” and “practice good and safe hygiene sanitation.”
D-12, Shadow, English, 2014
Song about Ebola reaching one's country, and steps to take to avoid infection.
Posters
Ebola is Real! Together We Can Stop the Spread
UNICEF; Ministry of Health Liberia; WHO, English, 2014
Poster depicting signs and symptoms of Ebola and ways to help stop the spread
Ministries of Health of Sierra Leone, Senegal, Liberia; CDC; UNICEF, English/Garon/Soninke/Yoruba/Igbo/Mende/Gusilay/Manjaku/Fonyi/Bandial, 2014
Selection of posters from Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Liberia as well as generic posters from the CDC and UNICEF covering Ebola detection, prevention, care, and treatment.
Infection Control Posters for the African Health Care Setting
CDC, English/French/Portuguese, 2014
These eight signs were designed to be hung in various parts of healthcare facilities to improve infection control. The posters are available in English, French, and Portuguese. There is a simple statement and a black and white image on each sign.
Preparedness Matrices
WHO, English, 2014
The specific objectives of the framework are to: describe the core functions and responsibilities of country-level structures—that is, the EMC and the RRT—for effective PHE management, call attention to the critical importance of preparedness activities and methods to enhance response capacity, outline the step-by-step PHE response activities, and provide key indicators for M&E of national preparedness and response activities. The target audiences for this framework include: senior policy makers and decision makers, EMC leadership and members, and RRT leadership and members.
Ebola Preparation and Response Scenario
English, 2014
This document was used in a workshop in West Africa, to help program managers learn how to develop preparedness and response plans for a potential Ebola outbreak. It includes an outbreak scenario and potential actions and responses by many parties to the outbreak.
Generic Algorithm to Aid Action Planning at District and Regional Levels - Ghana
English, 2014
Matrix for planning response, action, people responsible, completion of action, and long-term priorities.
Radio Spots
CDC, 2014
English/French/Fullar/Guerze/Kissi/Kono/Krio/Limba/Loko/Madingo/Malinke/Mende/Susu/Thenne/Toma/Wolof, 30 seconds each
Seven radio messages in different languages (English, French, Fullar, Guerze, Kissi, Kono, Krio, Limba, Loko, Madingo, Malinke, Mende, Susu, Thenne, Toma, Wolof). Radio messages include spots on prevention, risk and stigma. Transcripts are included. These spots will be most useful when read by a local voice and adapted for local dialect and context.
Rapid Assessment Questions
Ebola Preparation and Response Scenario
List of questions to use as a guideline for identifying and responding to an Ebola outbreak.
Reports
Médecins sans Frontières, French, 2014
Results of a study undertaken by Médecins sans Frontières to assess the country's readiness to combat Ebola virus.
Ebola Mobilization in Siruigi, Guinea
English, 2014
Brief report on mobilization of Ebola team in Guinea, outlining levels of mobilization, and activities in mosques.
MMWR Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak - Nigeria, July-September 2014
CDC, English, 2014
Description of Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, includes statistics, and also organizational structure of the Nigeria Ebola Response Incident Management Center.
CRS, UNICEF, Focus 1000, English, 2014
This study shows that comprehensive knowledge about the disease is low and there are serious misconceptions and stigma towards Ebola-infected persons.
Resilience Systems
Global Resilience System: Ebola
OVIAR Global Resilience Systems, English, 2014
The Global Resilience System (GRS) is a rapidly growing planet-wide aggregation of nested sub-system of Resilience Systems, which are focused on protecting and improving the health, human security, resilience and sustainability of human populations and the viability of their ecosystems. This page lists Ebola information, FAQs, and research.
Social Media
Strategies
Plan de Communication pour la Prévention contre l'Epidémie de la Fièvre Ebola
MOH Côte d’Ivoire, French, 2014
Objectives of the strategy are: At least 95% of the political and administrative authorities of religious leaders and traditional leaders and communities support the campaign; 100% of all selected mobilizers, supervisors, health professionals and media professionals selected structures are able to convey correct messages on the prevention and fight against Ebola; at least 95% of the social networks involved in awareness for the campaign; and 100% of the population and especially of the areas at risk are informed about the prevention and fight against Ebola.
CCP Tanzania, English, 2014
This concept note, developed for Tanzania, but applicable to other countries in East or Southern Africa, focuses on quickly developing an effective communication strategy for addressing Ebola. It does not address other aspects of handling Ebola such as treatment, quarantine control, infection prevention, medical staff training, monitoring, logistics and epidemiology. It also does not include how to plan for potential social, economic, and security disruptions, although the decisions made by technical experts on how to handle many of these issues should then be addressed through the communication strategy.
PAHO Strategic and Operational Plan for Responding to Pandemic Influenza
PAHO, English, 2005
Lays out the steps for preparedness for a pandemic influenza outbreak, including strengthening risk communication activities. Pre-pandemic, it is important to implement and communication strategy and encourage pre-pandemic planning.
Ebola Communication Strategies (Health Care Workers)
WHO, English, 2014
Four strategies for health care workers, dealing with the outbreak, etc.
Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference for Ebola Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund
UNDP, English, 2014
This document describes the Terms of Reference for the Ebola Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund, which includes: stop the outbreak, treat the infected, ensure essential services, preserve stability, and prevent outbreak in unaffected countries.
Toolkits
WHO, English, 2012
This interagency (FAO, UNICEF, WHO) toolkit is useful for anyone wanting to design effective outbreak prevention and control measures in community settings. Although it is primarily intended for risk communication, developmental communication and health promotion/education personnel working in multidisciplinary teams to investigate and respond to disease outbreaks, it is also useful for epidemiologists, clinicians, and public health officers who need to understand the local contexts and dynamics of an outbreak.
The toolkit contains a seven-step approach, with corresponding tools, checklists and templates for designing behavioral and communication interventions that support the development of outbreak prevention and control measures that are not only technically-sound, but are also culturally appropriate, relevant and feasible for communities to act upon—to limit loss of life and minimize disruption to families, communities and societies.
Training Materials
Guidelines for the Training of Community Volunteers for Social Mobilization against Ebola
English, 2014
This is a guideline for training community volunteers to educate communities about the Ebola outbreak and to mobilize them to prevent and control the outbreak in their communities. The guidelines outline the key messages that community volunteers should be trained on to be able to effectively educate and mobilize communities about Ebola.
Risk Communication Self Instruction Course
PAHO, English/Spanish/Portuguese
The purpose of this course is to create and strengthen skills for the communication of health risks associated with the environment, using methodologies with theoretical and practical approaches applicable in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Specific objectives are:
- To learn the background, myths, components, and processes of risk communication.
- To recognize the importance of risk perception and the factors that influence it, besides the key actors and their roles.
- To prepare, conduct, and evaluate a risk communication plan, in response to the needs of the different communities and their specific problems, including crisis situations and emergencies.
- To promote processes of sustainable community participation that will ensure the continuity of the activities resulting from the risk communication plan.
French, 2014
This is an outline and a set of questions and answers for a simulation exercise involving households and Ebola virus patients in order to assess readiness.
Pandemic Influenza Communications Exercise
Pandemic Influenza Communications Exercise - Facilitator's notes
PAHO, English/Spanish
Simulation exercise on risk and outbreak communication, originally used in the Sub-regional Communication Workshop held in Bogota, Colombia.
Ebola Health Care Manuals for Service Providers
Various producers, 2014
These manuals cover Viral Hemorrhagic Fever, infection control, Psychosocial Support During an Outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease, and injection waste management.
Ebola Training Courses for Health Care Workers
CDC, English, 2014
Three learning courses for health care workers on all aspects of Ebola.
Ebola Outbreak Response Training Package Adapted for Liberia
WHO, English, 2014
Explains case management, triage, and infection control for health care workers.
gCHV Training on Ebola Flipbook and IPC
WHO, UNICEF, Healthy Life, MOH Liberia, English, 2014
The learning objectives of this presentation are for the trainee to be able to tell others
- about the signs and symptoms of Ebola,
- about how Ebola is spread and how to prevent the spread,
- what to do if someone has the signs and symptoms or has died from Ebola,
- what to do if you have to wait for a help team, and
- about testing, treatment centers, contacts, and help teams.
The trainee will also know how to
- use the poster and flip book to give IPC on Ebola, and
- keep a record of your work on Ebola.
CDC, English
This is a presentation outlining the basics of risk communication, including components, role in infectious disease outbreak, communicating the right level of risk, capacities needed to conduct effective risk communication, and coordination and consistency.
Websites
HC3, English, 2014
The Ebola Communication Network (ECN) is a collection of health communication materials designed to help address the spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa. ECN collects Ebola communication resources from a variety of sources including USAID, UNICEF, CDC, and WHO.
Ebola Websites for Health Care Workers
CDC, The Lancet
This is a list of 26 websites with information, questions/answers, and updated statistics about Ebola.
English, 2014
These sites provide up to date information of the Ebola status of various countries, as well as general disaster awareness information for workers and the general public.
Trending Topic: Ebola SBCC Materials
HC3, English, 2014
Collection of posters, strategies, and brochures designed to inform the public and health care community about Ebola's causes, treatment, and symptoms.
Medbox, English, 2014
This website includes resources for planning and preparedness, clinicians, health care workers, the general public and community leaders.
Ebola Messages for the General Public
WHO, English, 2014
A list of 19 messages for the general public along with poster-format downloadable files.
CDC Ebola Communication Resources
CDC, English/French/Spanish, 2014
Latest, most updated CDC resources including audio, video, infographics, posters, brochures and banners – all downloadable, all in English, some in French and Spanish.
2014 West African Ebola Outbreak: Feature Map
WHO, English, 2014
An interactive timeline that links to key events, stories and further reading.
Ebola Outbreak 2014: Information Resources
US DHHS, English, 2014
Comprehensive list of US organizations, international organizations, situation reports, resources, etc.
National Geospatial Agency, English, 2014
Geospatial map of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone noting treatment facilities, airfields, public transportation, religious institutions, embassies, and refugee camps and can be used by managers and policy makers to help in making programmatic decisions and plans. [Registration required to use this site.]
Ebola Information for Children
Nemours Foundation, English, 2014
Page written in simple language for school children, explaining Ebola, and what children can do to prevent infection.
Nemours Foundation, English, 2014
Basic information on Ebola, answering questions, written in a style appropriate for adolescents.