Community members serving as role models to adopt better practices to promote health and save lives
Mobilizing communities to encourage better environmental, health and life-saving practices
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Limited awareness and lack of basic public services in remote Yemeni villages and IDP camps force residents to adopt unsafe sanitation practices, jeopardizing their health. This includes the deeply entrenched habit of open defecation, which creates a significant public health risk and increases the potential for disease outbreaks.
To promote positive water, sanitation, and public hygiene best practices, UNICEF is tapping into the power of local community mobilizers in Lahj and Aden, who contribute to raising awareness and encouraging people to take measures to protect their lives from diseases and the impact of environmental pollution. As part of the initiative aiming to promote social behavioral change, a total of 150 community mobilizers are empowered and trained with funding from USAID.
Making a difference
In Lahj, 35 community volunteers (eight females and 27 males) played a pivotal role as part of community outreach teams. These individuals - including teachers, water committee members, religious leaders, midwives, and public figures - leveraged their influence and positions to change the behaviors of people, successfully reducing open defecation in their community by 41% and curbing the negative environmental and health practices of burning garbage by 65%.
At the heart of the project lie the dedicated volunteers who held awareness campaigns that promoted proper hygiene practices.
Mahmoud Muhammad Abdullah, a 60-year-old community outreach team member, says, “The programme targets all segments of the society, including children, enhancing their awareness and empowering them to take charge of their health and well-being.” Abdullah, a physician's assistant, emphasizes the importance of raising awareness in mobilizing communities to address health and environmental concerns. "The programme goes beyond awareness-raising; it supports communities’ initiatives to promote safe sanitation practices,” he says.
Positive change
In addition to targeting six areas and four IDP camps with awareness campaigns, the team of community mobilizers established a donation fund to help the community rent trucks for garbage and solid waste collection. Hussein Obaid, a 29-year-old participant, echoes the positive impact the activities brought about. "These initiatives have significantly improved our community; we have seen successful behavioural changes that curbed the spread of disease. "We carried out an initiative to fill uncovered pit latrines and collect garbage," he said, adding, "I am proud to have participated in raising awareness and brought about a positive change in my community.”
Preventive and health-promoting behaviour
Social and behavioural change is a key strategy for promoting health and preventative practices. Ahd Jamal Sa'ad, one of the community mobilizers, explains the programme's goals.
“Previously, the lack of knowledge about health and environmental issues resulted in the deterioration of public health and disease outbreaks, so we educated the community about the importance of cleanliness and the dangers of unsanitary practices.” Highlighting his role, Sa'ad adds, “I mobilized residents to address sanitation concerns through initiatives like garbage collection and cleaning up open defecation sites. I am thrilled to witness a positive impact on my community, as people started adopting new habits that preserve the environment and prevent diseases.”
Enhancing awareness
Ibrahim Ali Haidara, a 38-year-old beneficiary, shares his experience. "Now, there is a much greater awareness of how proper hygiene prevents diseases. The awareness sessions were incredibly informative. I learned about healthy practices such as proper handwashing and water purification,” Haidara said, expressing his gratitude to the community mobilizers who delivered messages to promote better practices, which helped protect both the society and the environment.
Honouring the heroes
By delivering targeted awareness messages that encourage positive behaviour changes, these influential volunteers leave a tangible impact on society, helping to limit the spread of disease. In recognition of their tireless efforts – raising awareness, educating the community about the dangers of open defecation, and promoting healthy practices – the community mobilizers received well-deserved awards and medals from both the community and local authorities.
“I feel a deep sense of pride and satisfaction, knowing that I contributed to a well-organized effort that made a real difference on the ground,” said Obaid.
