The Economic Commission for Africa and the UN Communications Group last week handed over to the Government of Ethiopia, awareness听materials to ensure ordinary citizens have听access to timely and accurate information听in听the fight against the听COVID-19听outbreak.
Over 40000 flyers and brochures were printed for听distribution by relevant government entities.
Topics include emergency preparedness and response,听the听disease and听its听conditions, healthy living听and safety, among others.
鈥淲e are honoured to partner with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute and the Ministry of Transport during this time of crisis,鈥� said听Ali听Todaro, Chief of Conference听Management Section听at the ECA. 听
鈥淭he UN is working around the world to tackle the COVID-19 听outbreak.听We听recognize that a positive outcome is only possible if the ordinary person is fully informed.鈥�
Charles Ndungu,听Chief听of听ECA鈥檚听Printing and Publishing Unit, added his voice, saying,听鈥淓very time one places a call in Ethiopia, they get an educational message about coronavirus prevention.听But we all know that is not enough because not everyone has a cell phone.听The ECA is happy to be playing its small part in this massive fight against the deadly virus that is set change our world as we know it,听if we do not act fast.鈥�
Mr. Ndungu said he was听grateful to all the staff听鈥渨ho have been putting in听extra hours to make this听possible鈥�.
Teshome Kifle, also from the听Printing and Publishing Unit said,听鈥淲e all know that knowledge听changes听attitudes. What we have been seeing around the continent was听an inauspicious attitude toward听the coronavirus from our people. Our hope is that these flyers and pamphlets will go a long way in ensuring people take this pandemic seriously听to protect themselves, their families and colleagues,鈥� said Mr. Kifle.
For her part, Ethiopia鈥檚 Transport Minister,听Dagmawit听Moges, thanked ECA鈥檚 Executive Secretary Vera Songwe and her team for听providing听the government听with听the听informative brochures about COVID-19.
鈥淚 look forward to joining forces to utilize our collective capacity听towards combating this pandemic,鈥� she said on Twitter.
The government, working in partnership with the WHO, other UN agencies and the private sector,听is听implementing听other basic measures to increase awareness and prevent the spread of COVID-19听with the health ministry听providing听regular updates听on all media, including through megaphones and听in听sign language.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia听has听partnered with the Jack Ma Foundation and other partners to help distribute Corona Virus testing kits, masks, face shields, and protective suits to the 54 countries on the Continent.听Prime Minister听Abiy听Ahmed听is听managing the logistics and distribution of the听supplies.
