RCCE strategies to overcome COVID-19 fatigue in the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and North Africa
This brief focuses on social and cultural influences for sustained COVID-19 prevention and risk reduction behaviours in the Eastern Mediterranean / Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In situations of long term or protracted emergencies, populations can suffer from fatigue or complacency about the measures designed to protect them. ‘Pandemic fatigue’ (demotivation to follow recommended protective behaviours) and complacency are affected by a range of factors and community concerns that cannot be anticipated nor well understood without engaging with communities. COVID-19 has shifted from an acute to a chronic crisis, and strategies to encourage the public to continue with protective behaviours are essential.
The brief synthesises evidence published by UNICEF in a comprehensive review of the scientific and grey literature and the media. It is intended to inform the development of risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) strategies and regional guidance and tools as the COVID-19 crisis evolves; operational considerations based on the findings are set out at the end of this synthesis. Additionally, this brief provides recommendations for improvements to data for RCCE systems.