Strengthening Local Mechanisms for COVID-19 Outreach and Prevention in Select Artisanal Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The World Bank, Extractives Global Programmatic Support (EGPS) Multi-Donor Trust Fund, supports developing countries to build extractives sectors that drive inclusive, sustainable growth and development and ultimately, poverty reduction. Health Focus and Synergy Global Consulting (The Consortium) have been contracted to strengthen local mechanisms for COVID-19 outreach and prevention in select artisanal mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo using innovative communication approaches. This vital 1-year project aims to; review and assess the health education needs of artisanal and small-scale mineworkers, their families and surrounding communities and develop contextually appropriate health education messaging. The messaging will be delivered by local catalysts for change (change agents), media and radio, to raise the awareness of COVID 19, its prevention and other identified health education needs. This will be carried out within the mining hubs on the eastern side of the Democratic Republic of Congo where the majority of mining and artisanal mining takes place. The Consortium will empower appropriate local persons, networks and organisations to become change agents and a sustainable resource for delivering the key health education messages.