The Coronavirus CivActs Campaign (CCC) is an open, people-powered pandemic response mechanism that uses multi-way communication to gather, answer, and verify coronavirus-related rumors, concerns, questions, and feedback from communities across Nepal. By providing the public with facts, the CCC ensures a better understanding of public needs during the pandemic and debunks rumors before they can do more harm.
Crises like coronavirus can quickly become a catalyst for social conflict due to misinformation, rumors and fake news. Nepal is no exception in this respect, as we are hearing stories from the communities we work with of how power-holders are using fake news to manipulate response efforts; that rumors are leading to behaviors that are undermining community cohesion and safety; and that citizens have no idea what role they can play in the pandemic response.
Our staff and 200+ Community Frontline Associates - trained, trusted community volunteers - are gathering rumors, concerns and questions from citizens about the pandemic. The team gathers validated information in both English and Nepali to create easily understandable infographics that outline how citizens should understand coronavirus-related issues, what steps are being taken by the government to address these issues and what information should inform individual-level decision-making.
The CCC equips citizens with the necessary information to navigate the pandemic in responsible ways; provides leaders with the data they need to make better decisions; and bolsters trust. The CCC aims to improve the Nepali government's response to the pandemic by demonstrating how to provide coordinated, clear and pertinent health information during times of crisis. The Lab also hopes that the campaign will inspire communities to step up and make sure that the Nepali public is informed.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
