Raising awareness about Ebola prevention

In Goma, North Kivu, communities continue to face the risk of Ebola and other infectious diseases. Population movements across borders and between rural and urban areas, combined with gaps in everyday hygiene practices, can make it difficult for communities to respond quickly when health threats emerge. In some neighborhoods, limited access to handwashing facilities, protective equipment, and trusted health information can increase vulnerability and deepen mistrust toward response efforts. Our project, “Raising Awareness About Ebola Prevention,” was designed to address these challenges by putting communities at the center of prevention and preparedness.

The project is currently in its preparation and resource-mobilization phase. We are identifying qualified trainers and community learners who will participate in the planned activities. Once implementation begins, the project will provide simple Ebola prevention information in French and Swahili through posters, children's comics, short radio messages, community dialogues, and participatory theatre. We also plan to install 100 handwashing stations in selected markets, schools, and health centers and provide basic infection prevention and control kits. Community health workers, neighborhood leaders, women, men, and young people will be encouraged to take an active role in promoting safer practices and building trust between communities and local actors.

The total project budget is $88,000, and no project funds have been raised yet. Our partnership with GlobalGiving gives us an important opportunity to reach international donors and mobilize the resources needed to move from preparation to implementation. The expected results are practical and long-term: greater access to hygiene facilities, stronger knowledge of Ebola prevention, increased use of handwashing stations, earlier referral to health facilities when symptoms appear, and stronger community participation in public-health preparedness. We are deeply grateful to GlobalGiving and all our current and future supporters for helping us bring this initiative closer to the communities that need it. We invite donors, organizations, and individuals to support this project. Every contribution, whatever its size, can help us equip communities with knowledge, practical tools, and trusted local support to prevent Ebola and respond more effectively to future health threats.