#MENHABARLY ON COVID-19

The campaign was aimed to reinforce messages on COVID-19, tackle misinformation and effectively manage the infodemic and to reduce COVID-19 stigma in Turkmen community including youth, caregivers, and vulnerable population.

During the month of December UN in Turkmenistan was sharing general information on COVID-19, informing on common myths, its variants, the importance of preventive measures, COVID-19 and children, post-COVID, vaccines booster shots for the pregnant and breastfeeding, the work of medical personal, mental health and other.

This campaign was the continuation of UN’s support to the Government in reaching the general public through national media by producing hygiene promotion videos, providing media briefings for journalists on risk communication and community engagement, developing information materials on handwashing and sneezing/coughing for schools, providing specific information for adolescents, parents, pregnant and lactating women, and elderly available in online platforms to promote healthy and responsible behaviour at home and in the community.

To ensure that no one is left behind and to mark “World Disability Day” WHO and UNICEF organized sessions for people with disabilities to discuss the importance of preventive measures and vaccination in the context of ongoing pandemic. During the sessions the participants also had a chance to ask questions from the specialists of UNICEF on mask-wearing, distancing and handwashing as well as voice their concerns about common myths about the pandemic.

About 100 members of three public organizations: Yenme, Support Centre for Persons with Disabilities and Society to Support Deaf and Blind People benefited from the information sessions.

“Risk Communication and Community Engagement is an essential contribution to the public health and the current pandemic demonstrated the need to work among different groups of population including the most vulnerable to continue encouraging preventive behavior”, says Mohammad Fayyazi, UNICEF Representative.

“We really enjoyed this session. Thanks to UNICEF for visiting us and sharing valuable knowledge about preventive measures from diseases. We will further share obtained information with our families and friends,” says participant from Support Center for people with disabilities, Maksat.

“The UN Country team will continue to advocate and share quality content on prevention measures and ways to cope with the pandemic; develop online resources and digital applications for risk communication with government partners and carry out health promotion campaigns for specific target groups such as children and people in institutions”, stresses Dmitry Shlapachenko, UN Resident Coordinator in Turkmenistan.