Date: October 2^nd 2020 – Time: 2pm (GMT+1)
Venue: Online via Zoom platform

1. BACKGROUND

The world since 2019 has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and this has affected the healthcare sector including socio-economic, cultural, and the environmental systems and Cameroon being one of the most affected in Africa is not exempted from this crisis. In response to this pandemic, the government of Cameroon together with WHO, prescribed preventive measures ranging from closure of the land, air and sea borders, the respect of basic hygiene and sanitation as well as social distance. The response strategy of the government of Cameroon to the COVID-19 pandemic has been made public through audio visual and print media, social medial and other informal channels. The biggest challenge remains translating this measures to a simple and practical manner that is clearly understood by the man in the streets.  Civil society organisations through a series of projects have been engaged in the fight against this pandemic at both rural and urban levels.

The Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation has been very active in the fight against this pandemic through its COVID-19 community project.  It is imperative to use existing grassroots structures, institutions, religious and traditional rulers in the sensitization campaign which must take into account the social and cultural dynamics of the communities in order to obtain significant results.

2. OBJECTIVE OF THE SYMPOSIUM

• • To highlight the importance of the community involvement in the fight against the pandemic.
  • To engage both community leaders and its member in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

3. MAIN THEME OF DISCUSSION

• • Role of community involvement in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Impact of poor community engagement
  • Challenges faced by the community members from adhering the preventive measures
  • What measures can be used to address the socio-cultural dynamics caused by the pandemic.

4. TARGET PARTICIPANTS

The event will gather different actors like community members specifically Simbock community, researchers, experts on public policy and policy makers, leaders of civil society organizations, educationists, leaders of NGOs and International Organizations, and the general public.

5. EXPECTED OUTCOME

• • Participants will have a clear understanding on the role of community in the fight against COVID-19
  • Highlight the challenges faced by the community members from adhering the preventive measures
  • Propose measures that can be used to address the socio-cultural dynamics caused by the pandemic.  

PANELISTS

Dr. Gobina Ronald

Director of Nkafu COVID-19 Taskforce

M. Tsoplefack Pierre Marie

Secretary General-Block 10 of the Simbock Community

Mme Fegue Nathalie

COVID-19 Communicator
Communication Unit at MINSANTE

MODERATOR

Dr. Vera KUM

Research Fellow at The Nkafu Policy Institute

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