Knowledge is power – Community leaders mobilized for a Yemen free of COVID-19
An intensive 2-week community mobilization campaign happened through 5,200 trained mobilizers
- Available in:
- English
- العربية
Adyeeb was rushing up the stairs to catch the vaccinators as he wanted to be a role model and be vaccinated against COVID-19 in public. Just a few hours before, his voice resounded through the nearby mosque minaret, urging his community to get vaccinated through the mobile team of vaccinators.
Adyeeb Mahfoud is the Head of Al-Mansourah district and an active influencer in Aden, Yemen. “COVID-19 has caused many deaths around the world and in Yemen. We have lost beloved ones. Now, we have the vaccine that can make a difference and save lives”, he says. “Although the vaccine will not fully prevent us from being infected by COVID-19, it will reduce the symptoms and impact.”
“I am very impressed by the commitment of mobilizers, either the Mother-to-Mother club members or the community leaders who believe in the importance of vaccines”, says vaccinator Monyrah Saeed. “They spread the message with great enthusiasm and commitment. This has helped us as vaccinators to vaccinate more people who initially refused the vaccination or did not take up the vaccination for other reasons. It shows that community members listen to community leaders who they trust and value,” she adds.
In this COVID-19 vaccination campaign, more than 262,000 people have been vaccinated within 13 governorates. The coverage reflects great efforts made around the clock by vaccinators and mobilizers through different community engagement approaches.
“Through community leaders, Social Behavior Change mobilizers and community leaders, we managed to convince community members to get vaccinated. Community leaders have greatly contributed to making this campaign effective,” says Dr. Khalid Abdulbaki, Head of Malla polyclinic and Deputy Head of Malla district Health Office in Aden governorate.
Thanks to Canada and Germany’s generous support, UNICEF and the Ministry of Public Health, an intensive 2-week community mobilization campaign happened through 5,200 trained mobilizers (male and female community volunteers, religious leaders, community leaders, public figures, doctors, health workers and youths). Social mobilization has also included vehicle mounted with megaphones, producing and disseminated printed and visual materials, and engaging with community.
“It is essential to keep engaging with community to promote lifesaving practices, helping them to adopt new behaviors. The whole world has been affected by COVID-19 but with prevention measures and the vaccine, we could mitigate its impact. Knowledge will remain the key and the way to breaking through,” says community mobilizer Jamila Al Haj.
