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Nesia Mhaka Herald Correspondent

Unesco will support the needed communication and awareness campaigns in Zimbabwe so everyone is aware of what they must do to stay healthy and minimise the spread of COVID-19.

Speaking to The Herald on Wednesday, Unesco national programme specialist for HIV and health education Mr Lucas Halimani said UN agencies were strongly behind Zimbabwe in its battle against the spread of COVID-19.

“As part of the joint UN support to member states, the Unesco response emphasises the importance of massive raising of communication, information and awareness to ensure reduction in the speed of transfer of the coronavirus; this requires a mass communication approach, he said.

“To this end, Unesco stands ready to provide support to strengthening collaboration among the media professionals in addressing Covid-19.”

A special focus would be on reaching marginalised and remote communities with validated Covid-19 messaging, using community radio and other communication channels. Fake news, disinformation and misinformation has to be fought by the same means.

Unesco is partnering with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in the implementation of alternative learning platforms for school children, a worldwide programme. Technical assistance will be provided to quickly prepare and deploy inclusive distant learning solutions, using hi-tech, low-tech and no-tech approaches.