- Empowering communities amidst COVID-19! Thanks to PRC Poverty Reduction Fund and @ADB_HQ, CSOs in the Philippines, Thailand, and Lao PDR lead the charge. From health worker training to economic resilience, community collaboration is the key to success. #COVID19Response
- Unveiling COVID-19 success stories! With the PRC Poverty Reduction Fund, initiatives in the Philippines and Thailand showcase community-led power. From health worker empowerment to tailored livelihoods, we're building resilience together! #CommunityDriven
- Bridging borders for a brighter future! ADB's Technical Assistance supports migrant communities in Lao PDR and Thailand with essentials and life skills training, showing community collaboration for resilience. #BuildingCapacity
In 2020, ADB and the PRC Poverty Reduction and Regional Cooperation Fund implemented the Mitigating Impact of COVID-19 through Community-Led Interventions project in partnership with civil society organizations in the Lao PDR, the Philippines, and Thailand. The project also engaged public health experts from the PRC to train health workers, ensuring long-term preparedness to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as future outbreaks.
Watch in this video the stories that underscore the importance of community capacity in healthcare, economic resilience, and partnerships, paving the way to brighter futures in Asia and the Pacific.
Transcript
Amid the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, stories of success and impact shine a light on the power of community-driven initiatives.
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) Poverty Reduction and Regional Cooperation Fund funded the Asian Development Bank’s Technical Assistance Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 through Community-Led Interventions, which supported Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in three countries during the pandemic.
In the Bangsamoro region of the Philippines, where communities were displaced to new areas, community health workers were provided with comprehensive training, equipping them with essential skills for COVID-19 mitigation, contact tracing, sanitation practices, and vaccine awareness campaigns to keep their communities safe.
Sharifa Untong
Barangay Health Worker
Tamparan, Lanao del Sur
The comprehensive training provided by the project empowered us to be the first line of defense in our community against COVID-19. We learned essential skills in contact tracing and sanitation practices, enabling us to safeguard our own communities.
In Thailand, communities developed COVID-19 response plans. Vital personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies were provided to safeguard migrant workers and other vulnerable populations. Mass information campaigns were created to prevent the spread of the virus in migrant communities across three regions.
Thaung
A community member in Samut Sakhon
The plans we developed empowered us to take charge of our own safety. The project’s information campaigns taught us critical information to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
A public health expert team trained key stakeholders of three CSOs in 'training of trainers' (ToT) for combating COVID-19 and future outbreaks.
Experts from PRC’s Capital Medical University and Peking University shared COVID-19 response experiences. The training covered communication, vaccine promotion, and interactive sessions on key messages, communication plans, outbreak preparedness, contact tracing, surveillance, vaccine importance, and addressing hesitancy in Lao PDR, the Philippines, and Thailand.
In Thailand, migrant worker communities received vital support such as food, water, hygiene supplies, access to health services, COVID-19 screenings and treatment, and health insurance.
The project also worked closely with government health offices and social welfare departments to connect migrant workers to agencies that can provide them with formal social protection support.
Migrant workers in Samut Sakhon
We are grateful for all the help from the project, from our basic needs to health insurance. It gave us a sense of security during such challenging times.
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by conflict-displaced communities, border area villages, and cross-border migrant workers, the project provided tailored livelihood opportunities.
In Thailand, jobless and unemployed migrants whose livelihoods had been affected by COVID-19 were given life skills and occupational training.
Within the Bangsamoro region in the Philippines, livelihood groups were formed and were given training in carpentry, vegetable cultivation, and handicrafts.
In the Lao PDR, returned migrant workers received training on soap and mask production. The project also organized Farmers’ Clubs where members learned improved methods of growing vegetables, fish farming and raising livestock.
Vanh Thephavong
Meungnamsang, Khammouan Province
Lao PDR
The project trained us in soap production and sewing of masks. This is something new to me, but I am extremely grateful. Now, I don’t have to look for a job abroad. I have a job now in my own community.
In the face of adversity, these stories highlight the importance of building community capacity. From healthcare knowledge to economic resilience, each initiative shows the potential of tapping into the power of community and partnerships in forging paths to brighter and resilient futures.
