Strengthening Community Resilience to Covid-19

The South Asia Regional Project to Strengthen Community Resilience to Covid-19 (SCRC) was launched by Accountability Lab Pakistan (ALP) in collaboration with The Asia Foundation (TAF) Pakistan and funded by the European Union. The project aimed to increase awareness of Covid-19 related health and hygiene practices and improve the delivery of policy and support services to marginalized communities residing in 10 districts of Pakistan, namely Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, and Haripur from the province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), and Sukkur, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Larkana, and Jacobabad from Sindh. 

The project implemented a comprehensive strategy to combat fake news and misinformation around COVID-19 in marginalized communities in 10 districts of Pakistan. By disseminating weekly bulletins, engaging bloggers and YouTubers, and airing a weekly radio campaign, the project was successful in pushing out verified information and debunking rumors and stigma associated with the pandemic. Additionally, the project trained over 340 community volunteers on identifying fake news and countering misinformation.

The project’s impact has been substantial and far-reaching, contributing to the creation of a more resilient society that is better prepared to face future health challenges. By increasing awareness of Covid-19 related health and hygiene practices and improving the delivery of policy and support services to marginalized communities, SCRC has made a significant difference in the lives of many people.