An Ebola survivor reports on a pioneering community initiative in Monrovia that could save lives in the fight against other infectious diseases.
Briefings
Young People Played a Game-Changing Role in the Battle Against Ebola in Liberia
![On 5 November, in the initial phases of U-Report's launch in Liberia, two adolescent girls who have been raising awareness of the technology among other youths record on paper the mobile numbers of new users, in the West Point neighbourhood of Monrovia, the capital. They used the traditional route of gathering new user data during a system outage. Part of the rollout process included identifying lingering glitches in the system. The adolescents are UNICEF-supported social mobilizers from the group Adolescents Leading an Intensive Fight against Ebola (A-LIFE); they underwent UNICEF training on U-Report and on how to use the technology to track data on EVD as well as on sexual health and teen pregnancy.
In November 2014, Liberia remains one of three countries in West Africa experiencing widespread and intense transmission of Ebola virus disease (EVD). UNICEF continues to support social mobilization efforts to raise awareness of the disease, its symptoms and how to prevent its spread all of which are critical to curtailing the unprecedented outbreak. U-Report, a text-based communication platform previously developed by UNICEF, was customized and deployed for use within Liberias mobilization efforts. Using Short Message Service (SMS), U-Report allows individual subscribers to ask questions about issues, to get real-time answers and to share information with other users U-reporters across the country. By giving people a new and effective platform for communication, it is intended to strengthen community-led development, citizen engagement and behavioural change. [Note, this story captions applies to all images below.] UNICEF/Jallonzo](https://www.socialscienceinaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/UNI174451_Med-Res-1024x683.jpg)
UNICEF/Jallonzo
On 5 November, in the initial phases of U-Report's launch in Liberia, two adolescent girls who have been raising awareness of the technology among other youths record on paper the mobile numbers of new users, in the West Point neighbourhood of Monrovia, the capital. They used the traditional route of gathering new user data during a system outage. Part of the rollout process included identifying lingering glitches in the system. The adolescents are UNICEF-supported social mobilizers from the group Adolescents Leading an Intensive Fight against Ebola (A-LIFE); they underwent UNICEF training on U-Report and on how to use the technology to track data on EVD as well as on sexual health and teen pregnancy.
In November 2014, Liberia remains one of three countries in West Africa experiencing widespread and intense transmission of Ebola virus disease (EVD). UNICEF continues to support social mobilization efforts to raise awareness of the disease, its symptoms and how to prevent its spread all of which are critical to curtailing the unprecedented outbreak. U-Report, a text-based communication platform previously developed by UNICEF, was customized and deployed for use within Liberias mobilization efforts. Using Short Message Service (SMS), U-Report allows individual subscribers to ask questions about issues, to get real-time answers and to share information with other users U-reporters across the country. By giving people a new and effective platform for communication, it is intended to strengthen community-led development, citizen engagement and behavioural change. [Note, this story captions applies to all images below.]
Related content
Factsheet
Why Social Science Matters for Humanitarian Action?
A factsheet on the role of social science in Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA).
IFRC - International Federation of Red Cross/ Red Cresent Societies
2023
Infographics
Crisis in Sudan: Note on Displacement from Sudan to South Sudan
This infographic summarises the insights from a recent briefing note on displacement due to the crisis in Sudan.
Central and East Africa Hub
SSHAP
2023
Briefing
Crisis in Sudan: Briefing Note on Displacement from Sudan to South Sudan
The experiences of those fleeing from Sudan to South Sudan due to the current conflict are shaped by the complex socio-political dynamics within and between the two countries. This briefing (published 28 July 2023) focuses on the historical and socio-political…
Central and East Africa Hub
SSHAP
2023
Infographics
Disability-Inclusive Humanitarian Action and Emergency Response in South and Southeast Asia and Beyond
This infographic shares the key messages of a recent briefing on disability in the context of humanitarian and public health emergencies in South and Southeast Asia. Its focus is on Nepal, but the principles are universally relevant and can be…
SSHAP
2023