COVID-19 global response: Risk Communication & Community Engagement (RCCE) strategy

A clear and integrated Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) strategy and response is vital for community uptake of essential public health and biomedical interventions to prevent and control the spread of disease. This strategic framework for preparedness and response is to provide an overview of how RCCE coordination mechanisms are set up at the global level with suggested technical resources and approaches to stop further transmission of COVID-19 at the global, regional, national and subnational levels, and to mitigate the impact of the outbreak in all countries.

Recommendations include:

1. Establishing a strong/cohesive RCCE partner coordination at global, regional and country levels for a more effective response;
2. Communicating science information/recommendations in a timely manner that address critical risks and counter misinformation;
3. Accelerating priority research and innovation in social sciences to support the implementation of public health measures and to ensure participation of at-risk and affected communities; and
4. Enhancing country-level capacity to roll out effective and coordinated RCCE approaches through the identification of capacity needs.