Information Sharing
I started playing a publicity role in the fight against COVID-19 from the day the virus became global news. As many people weren’t informed about the presence of the virus in China - because mostly people had very limited or no access to radio, global television channels and the internet - untrue information by word of mouth from one person to another became a major source.
I came across the first WHO COVID-19 flyer on Twitter and I used this as information to share with internet users. This post was shared on Twitter and Facebook using Volunteers Hub Liberia (VHL) official pages.
Cases are increasing, new countries are confirming cases every day and people are dying every day in huge numbers. But people in Liberia are refusing to accept that Coronavirus is real and suggesting that it is a man-made virus developed by authorities in the western world to kill people. People have also said that the virus will not survive in Liberia, because Liberia is hot, and people have strong immune systems.
In addition to information sharing, I designed a small project that served 22 communities in District #8, Montserrado County that used phone calls, SMS and social media to share COVID-19 information. I also designed a strategy that included sharing of COVID-19 information with communities during every outreach activity of VHL. I provided voluntary service to some institutions to help design prevention messages. And I traveled to rural Liberia to capture videos and photos showing how donations made by humanitarian organisations were being used.
Reaching Out to Family Members and Friends with Food Aid
As the government of Liberia announced an immediate State of Emergency and a compulsory Lock Down, the country came to a standstill. People had to reduce their activities or put a stop to activities that were providing daily income and meals for their homes. Moreover, many of these people do not save enough money to fall back on when there is a crisis! They live on what we call in Liberia, “from hand to mouth.” Looking at this situation and thinking about family members and friends who were caught up in this, I contributed USD $90.00 to eight persons to help provide a day, week, or a month’s meals for their homes, depending on their needs.
Life During COVID-19 (Challenges)
Even though I am active in the fight against COVID-19, which gives me the opportunity to move from place to place freely, it is like I am tied-up! I am afraid to touch people, visit friends and family members, sit in the car, or touch anything in general! I have to wear a face mask which means friends do not recognise me! I have missed school where I am studying for my degree. I have to spend too much money for call units for my mobile phone to check on friends and family members. Also, I have to spend money on internet bundles to work remotely since many offices are closed. I miss having face-to-face interactions with my volunteers, friends and family members.
Access to Healthcare, Water and Soap (Basic Needs and Wants)
From the foundation of Liberia to the present day, getting access to basic needs and wants is so difficult! This is due to either limited or no services and sometimes, no money. Many people do not have access to health centres. They have to stay home and take drugs prescribed by local drugs stores for a particular sickness. Lack of PPE and the social distancing advice also causes people not to access healthcare centres due to limited space. Many people did not have access to running water before the outbreak of COVID-19, so people could not make magic to get running water during COVID-19. For soap, some people were blessed to received humanitarian aid, so they received soap in their aid package. But some did not have access to soap, and had to wash their hands without.
Lessons Learned from Ebola to Help Cope with COVID-19
Based on Liberia’s experience from the fight against Ebola in 2014, many people already had experience of what it means when WHO says: wash hands with soap and clean water, do not touch or hug people. Prevention messages from Ebola were brought forward to educate people in the simplest way through songs and flyers. People putting hand washing buckets in front of their homes, offices and places of worship was one of the quickest way of stopping the Ebola virus from entering their homes, so they quickly rushed to set up the same sort of stations as soon as the country confirmed its first case of COVID-19.
The Lock Down
Sadly, Liberia is no exception to many of the violent crimes that other countries are experiencing during COVID-19! Rape and other gender- based violence, police & military brutality and child labour have all increased in Liberia with many cases being reported every day.
Conclusion
As we wish for Liberia to be declared COVID-19 free, I am still active in supporting the fight against COVID-19 by continuously sharing information and raising awareness about prevention with the public.
Menue Bainda is Executive Director of the Volunteers Hub Liberia