Central Africa Emergency COVID 19 Fund - Cameroon

June 2020 Monthly Report By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews

In late May 2020, it was decided that FRI could offer the COVID19 Emergency Fund to broadcasting partners in Central Africa. It was likely that most applicants will be from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)RC and Cameroon, although there could be some other applicants from other Central African countries like Congo-Brazzaville, Burundi, and Rwanda , given that FRI has broadcasting partners in these areas and are connected to these partners via email and WhatsApp. The application process was circulated by FRI Canada in two languages, notably in English and French. Two separate application forms were created based on the existing English and French application forms for other FRI countries. The fund and these application forms were promoted primarily via WhatsApp, but also through an email and reminder, beginning early June. The applications were gathered into two spreadsheets (one English, one French) in the Element 4 in an Emergency Fund Requests folder on the Gdrive. The review process with evaluation committee will includes FRI representation: Kathryn Burnham & Hannah Tellier, Finance representation, Abdoul Aziz Zonou, Regional representation Representatives from CORACON & Cameroon Link. The FRI representatives had to check the spreadsheets regularly at lest minimum 3 times a week and share any new applications with the rest of the committee, which had to consider the merits of the applications. The FRI representative also had the role of verifying that the applicants were existing broadcasting partners. The representatives from Cameroon Link & CORACON assisted in the validation process through verification of the applications as well, by contacting the organizations to gather information related to: - Proof that the key contact works at the station, which was registered in its country - Verification of the stated needs in the application & ability to procure the equipment desired (if applicable) - Bank information for the organization or individual to transfer the funds. The evaluation committee met twice, the first time in late-June to review the applications already submitted and to award the funds. A second round of selection is expected to take place in July or August 2020 based on the level of popular applications. The transfer of funds by FRI is handling through bank transfer to the station’s account or using individual transfer by Western Union where necessary, If the station is in a rural area without access to Western Union or bank. CORACON is assisting with transfer of fund through mobile money in extreme difficult situations. Representatives from CORACON and Cameroon Link are assisting in following up in August and September 2020 with stations awarded the funds to gather: - A photo of the station and broadcasters - A short description of how the funds were used and how the station staff & listeners benefited with an emphasis on how women, youth, and marginalized communities may have benefited. - A short description of how their radio station addressed the COVID-19 situation with its programming. - Feedback on FRI’s resources, particularly resources & services produced related to COVID-19 - Have they used any of FRI resources? How? What did they like / dislike? - Did they participate in WhatsApp discussions with experts? What did they like or dislike? - How would the stations rate their satisfaction with the emergency fund process? The application process? The transfer of funds? The follow up from local networkers? On the 5th June 2020, Cameroon Link received the following instructions on: Local Networker Objectives 1. 1st objective: Support radio stations in the use of FRI resources, FRI services including WhatsApp and hotline and FRI emergency fund To achieve the objective: • Follow the work plan requested by the Networking Focal Point The Networking Focal Point (NFP) provided Cameroon Link with expectations for the entire project and detailed expectations per week. (For example: "In the first week, Cameroon Link promoted the emergency fund and how FRI was going to deliver it. In the second week, Cameroon Link promoted the whtasapp and hotline links. • Promote gender equality in all Cameroonn Link activities Value the contributions of women and men equally, which meant making extra efforts to obtain women's contributions. Every day and at every stage of our work, we aim to represent the diverse needs and interests of women, men and other vulnerable groups. Share the information needed for understanding the implications of COVID-19 related to gender inequality (for example, women's higher risk of contracting the virus since they are often the ones who care for the sick, and the increase in violence against women in times of crisis). Make a maximum commitment to contact an equal number of men and women. when Cameroon Link calls or writes to a man, we also call and write to a woman. FRI recognizes that this is sometimes difficult to achieve, but is our responsibility to strive for this goal as much as possible. • Cameroon Link maintains regular, one-on-one contact with each station's broadcasters Responds on the same day to the messages it received (whether they are WhatsApp messages, emails or phone calls). Cameroon Link adapted its tools of communication to the specific needs of individuals. With the list of radio stations provided by the Networking Focal Point (NFP), it was ensured that Cameroon Link remained in close contact with the radio stations that do not contact us. Every day, we contacted at least 5 male and 5 female broadcasters, representing a daily total of 10 different radio stations. Contact with a radio station means that Cameroon Link had to individually writte or call one or more people from that radio station using WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram and/or telephone). It is should be noted that contacting a person through a WhatsApp group is not an individual approach. For this reason, Cameroon Link noted the names of the radio stations, as well as the names of the people contacted including their gender. • Cameroon Link prioritized "marginalized" radio broadcasters and radio stations located in rural communities.Marginalized radio stations' means a radio station located in a remote area and/or broadcasting in a local minority language and/or with fewer financial resources and/or fewer staff and/or less technical capacity and internet than the average. Cameroon Link had to identify the specific needs of people from marginalized groups and respond to their needs with specific information. It prioritizes networking with marginalized radios, with radios that target marginalized groups, and with non-active broadcasters in WhatsApp groups. • Cameroo Link found ways to include broadcasters who are not proficient in English of French when communicating with them was difficult. Pidgin English is spoken in over 9O% of Cameroon communities where the local language of our interlocutor is not understood for the information Cameroon Link shared, but also so that he / she felt valued when he / she communicated his / her opinions and suggestions. If the person does not speak English or French and we do not speak the person's local language, we informed the Networking Focal Point. He / she could help us by putting us in touch with another local networker or another person who could facilitate the conversation. It should be noted that there is no extra budget allocated or translation in this COVID 19 project. • Cameroon Link uses the various social media and digital tools to enable broadcasters to share issues and experiences on COVID-19 and to support each other. We encourage our broadcasting partners to join the WhatsApp group or Telegram / Facebook group to be part of our community of practice and share discussions, experiences, local information and their questions, • Cameroon Link contributes to the search for information from reliable and verified sources, by searching to receive a large flow of information on COVID-19 and the impact of this emergency activity in Cameroon on gender equality and women in particular, then verify its reliability and sort it out before sharing some of it. The slightest doubt about the reliability of an item of information is prevented from disseminating without any hesitation. • Cameroon Link contributes to the fight against fake news on air, networks and digital platforms. We ask to the radio stations what information they broadcast in their programmes. Check to be sure that the information is accurate. We encourage review of sources of information to be aware of fake news by checking the WHO and Africa Check websites. We ask the community radio stations on how the programmes address gender equality issues. The second objective of Cmeroon Link is to Support the radio stations in the improvement of their COVID-19 programmes through animation, journalism and technical know-how. To achieve this objective Cameroon Link follows the work plan requested by the Networking Focal Point . The Networking Focal Point (NFP) has provided us with expectations for the entire project, but also with detailed expectations per week. Cameroon Link promotes gender equality in all its activities through understanding and analysis of information on gender equality. It makes and effort to sure that we get broadcasters to question themselves about gender equality issues and avise them to contact gender equality experts in the ministry of women’s affairs or respective regional delegations in the country to support them. They should ask questions like “Does each piece of information apply equally to the realities of women and men? Do women have the power to decide to implement the proposed measures on COVID 19?” The aim of Cameroon Link is to try to get broadcasters to think about the gender implications of such a crisis like COVID 19. Gender-based violence is often on the increase in crisis situations: “Is it a phenomenon observed in Cameroon’s local communities? Are there services available to help women in their communities?” It is also very important to respect and enforce VOICE standards while communicating. See the FRI fundamentals at all times and apply them. http://scripts.farmradio.fm/radio-resource-packs/101-getting-and-using-audience-feedback-and-evaluating-radio-programs/use-voice-standards-to-improve-your-farmer-program/ • Broadcastes should respect and enforce FAIR standards and apply these FRI fundamentals at all times in the delivery of their activities: http://scripts.farmradio.fm/radio-resource-packs/104-post-harvest-cow-pea/f-r-journalism-standards-farmer-programs/ • Cameroon Link motivates broadcasters to take pride in their work and encourage Them with Congratulatory messages and certificates. We emphasize on the positive aspects of broadcasters’ work on and off the air and celebrate radio stations' successes with them. Cameroon Link also share good news with other radio stations to value people. Cameroon Link’s third objective is to Increase FRI’s network of radio stations To achieve this objective : • Cameroon Link follows the work plan requested by the Networking Focal Point The Networking Focal Point (NFP) has provided us with expectations for the entire project, but also with detailed expectations per week. • This implies enrolling new broadcasting partners in the FRI network, encouraging new radio stations to become FRI Broadcasting Partners and have them complete the Broadcasting Partner Participation Agreement. Cameroon Link review the list of FRI's broadcasting partners, identify radio stations that are not on that list, and then contact them to provide them materials about FRI. The fourth and last objective of Cameroon Link is Sharing insights from our interactions with radio stations to improve FRI services To achieve this objective Cameroon Link FM Network follows the work plan requested by the Networking Focal Point . The Networking Focal Point (NFP) has provided us with expectations for the entire project, but also with detailed expectations per week. While promote gender equality in all our activities, we pay particular attention to good practices related to gender equality, as well as to radio stations that have the capacity to address these issues related to COVID-19. The observations and comments we receive are shared with the Networking Focal Point and the Gender Focal Point like sharing information about services available to women survivors of violence, radio stations taking specific steps to address the needs of women. Cameroon Link collects information and views from radio stations and communities to share with FRI. Assist us in collecting any ideas, comments, questions or reactions from other radio stations and listeners that could help improve FRI's work with us. Share them with the Networking Focal Point and other FRI colleagues. These may include comments or questions related to COVID 19 project beneficiaries, the use of FRI resources and how to improve them, our networking, our responses to gender inequality issues, FRI emergency fund, our impact results, our experiences,...It may also include important local information. For more information, please visit these links: https://camlinknews.blogspot.com/2020/06/central-africa-covid-19-emergency-fund.html https://camlinknews.blogspot.com/2020/06/rapid-gender-analysis-of-covid-19-in.html https://camlinknews.blogspot.com/2020/06/what-are-we-learning-about-covid-19.html

Rapid Gender Analysis of COVID 19 in Cameroon

By James Achanyi Fontem, CEO, Cameroon Link "Women are excluded from information sharing on COVID-19 and from key high level decision making processes at national, regional and health district level....Despite this, the analysis reveals how coronavirus is also creating opportunities to disrupt deeply positive strategies and deeply entrenched gender inequalities."

The COVID-19 crisis and the application of the preventive measures taken in Central Africa region , including movement restriction measures (confinement, curfew, border closures), social distancing, and the closure of schools, have had an impact on all aspects of people's lives. camlink's COVID-19 pandemic response strategy in Central Africa region, most of whose countries were already fragile, has emphasised gender-focused and feminist approaches. To that end, the organisation carries out a Rapid Gender Analysis (RGA) with the objective of highlighting and understanding the gendered impacts of the COVID-19 crisis and formulating practical recommendations for direct response and advocacy. For the RGA, camlink has interviewed 24 persons (52% women and 48% men) representing communities, technical and health districts, and national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and women's rights organisations across 6 regions of Cameroon in Central Africa region. Using a do-no-harm approach, with a focus on mitigating the risk to camlink staff and communities, data collection (June 6-15, 2020) was done remotely by phone, using instant messaging services, and, when appropriate, face to face using distancing measures. Key findings, with an emphasis on communication-related findings: • With widespread government lockdowns, humanitarian actors are having increased difficulty reaching those in need. World Bank projections around the COVID-19 pandemic's impacts forecast a reduction to the already-low human development score. According to the Economic Community of Central African States (CEMAC), the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could increase the number of people at risk of food insecurity and malnutrition from 7 million to 20 million people between June and September 2020. Women are particularly at high risk in this context. • Women are suffering from more gender-based violence (GBV) due to general social stress combined with the increasing tensions surrounding having the family sequestered at home, on top of limited access to food and basic supplies. The informal social safety nets and networks many women previously relied on for support are weakened due to reduced physical mobility and social distancing.

• There is an overarching fear of contracting the disease and social distrust, especially towards foreigners, people coming from big cities, and those with elderly family members. Respondents repeatedly mentioned a sense of anxiety, in particular by youth, who are out of school and unable to access their routine activities. Meanwhile, very few mental health services exist that can offset the need for support. • Women confirm that government and health clinics have diverted energy and attention away from sexual reproductive and health and rights (SRHR) services. Between social distancing slowing down service provision and fear of attending clinics, it is very hard for women to access SRHR services. A decreasing number of youth accessing health services was also noted. • Misinformation is easier to access than official information. People are relying heavily on traditional healers, and rumours are spreading faster than official government information. At the same time, women and youth have little access to traditional information channels like TV and radio because men control these outlets in the household. In addition, broadcasts sharing information usually air at times when women are doing domestic labour. Women reported WhatsApp to be the most preferred source of information, as it is accessible for illiterate populations. Relying on social media carries risks, however, as these media is a common source of false information. • In general, the respondents have a good knowledge of preventive measures, but they are not likely to apply many of them. Hand washing is the most commonly practiced preventative measure, because hand washing stands are available in public places, and previous experience with cholera and Islamic ritual washing makes hand washing a common habit. However, precarious living conditions and high population density in working-class neighbourhoods (especially in urban areas) make it difficult to practice social distancing. • Overall, the participation of women in community decisions is not systemic and remains subject to their availability, as described by a respondent from Bomono: "Women participate in decision-making forums if that does not coincide with the moments of their domestic tasks." However, the RGA identified several opportunities that can be seized - in the immediate and long terms - in the context of the pandemic to effect lasting changes: • Availability and adaptability of actors at community level ready to support prevention activities: Community leaders and women members of Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) groups are already raising awareness of the preventive measures of the disease. Members are changing their group methodology to allow for social distancing and to support hygiene while maintaining solidarity and safety nets. Even beyond COVID-19: "We could relay messages shared during meetings to reach women who do not have television, radio, telephone, and social media and who do not understand French or English," said a woman leader member of a VSLA. • Development of digital operating capacity: This pandemic has demonstrated that it is possible to work remotely if given the appropriate capacities, which could serve as a trigger for humanitarian actors to develop the capacities required to continue interventions remotely in the future if and when necessary. • The transformation of gender roles and relationships within households: The long period of confinement has brought families together: "Men no longer go to the bars to drink," said a respondent from Grand Hangar Quarter. On the contrary, they are involved in domestic tasks, which undoubtedly enables them to understand the implicit struggles. Men may be more willing to continue their domestic work even after the confinement and the pandemic. • Opportunity to develop local or women-led innovation and technology at local level: Instances such as the design and construction of washing stands with local or recycled materials and the creative use of social media during the pandemic have shown that "with a little imagination and support", men, women, and young adolescents "can develop innovative and attractive initiatives that could strengthen their socio-economic empowerment while reducing their vulnerability to the risks of GBV." Selected recommendations: Ensuring a community-led response • Engage women, youth (both boys and girls), traditional leaders, and religious leaders in analysis, problem solving, and decision making to address this complex socio-cultural and economic issue. • Involve all stakeholders in the design and development and identification of outlets for COVID-19 prevention messages and communication to reach vulnerable populations. This should include messaging around engaging men and boys in shared household tasks, sharing decision-making power between men and women, participation of women, GBV and positive masculinities, rumours and false information about COVID-19, and more. • Do not ignore or isolate youth. Instead, listen to their concerns and ideas, and include them in seeking solutions and innovations for adaptation and prevention. Invest in out-of-school, COVID-19 safe activities for youth so they can actively contribute to the community response and engage in social development. • Ensure women have access to accurate information via VSLA groups and their social networks to then share amongst their WhatsApp groups and other networks. Strengthening food and nutrition security - e.g., ensure households understand the importance of nutrition through community awareness campaigns so everyone can base their family meals on accurate information.

Supporting early recovery initiatives and strengthening economic activities for women and members of VSLA groups - e.g., support these groups in the use of smart phones / tablets and social media to initiate online sales locally. Addressing GBV • Ensure that adequate and appropriate prevention and response measures are put in place for GBV among essential services, such as information for support (e.g., hotlines). • Support the implementation of safe spaces for women that are specifically adapted to the COVID-19 context, which could include VSLA-led virtual safe spaces. • Encourage innovations for VSLA members to maintain strong social safety nets and member solidarity to provide support and protection. • Support initiatives to discourage child marriage, which has increased as a coping mechanism during the pandemic. Strengthening access to services and basic health care • Ensure basic health services for issues other than COVID-19 are available, including through remote clinics and increased home visits by trained community health workers. • Equip health centres with information and communication systems on the disease for health service seekers and visitors. • Ensure accurate health centre outreach to communities with accurate information, as many women and children are afraid of accessing formal health services. • Ensure messages are designed and use the appropriate channels to reach adolescent boys and girls and women. Seizing the opportunity to reduce the digital divide • Engage youth (boys and girls) to identify the best digital platforms for information sharing, reinforcement of social safety nets, and sharing of accurate information. • Promote women's engagement with digital spaces through support to VSLAs for the identification and inclusion of remote operation measures in the VSLA module and operating rules. • Connect women and youth with media agencies and mobile phone companies for the production of jingles on the above themes and their dissemination as default ringtones, etc. • Connect women and youth with impact/innovation hubs for solutions so as to reduce the spread of COVID-19. • Ensure marginalised communities, especially women and youth, can be heard through the establishment of mechanisms of accountability and monitoring, as well as through the management of complaints and abuses via cell phone communication platforms. • Resource and train communities so as to establish remote monitoring of humanitarian programmes through mobile applications.

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING ABOUT COVID 19 GENDER RESPONSE ?

James Achanyi-Fontem, CEO Cameroon Link

"Gender-responsive design, implementation and monitoring of humanitarian programmes rely heavily on consultations, community-based approaches and face-to-face interactions with women and men, who are severely impacted by COVID-19 containment measures.. As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 rises among the estimated 160,000 Nigerian and Central African Republic refugees residing in 6 overcrowded areas in the far north and east regions of Cameroon, makeshift camps in Kousseri and Garoua Boulai, humanitarian agencies must change the ways they deliver programmes in order to maintain physical distancing and adhere to strict hygiene protocols. By examining how these changes are impacting the ability to deliver gender-responsive and gender-sensitive programmes (GSP), Cameroon Link hopes in this report to inform humanitarian responders and enable them to consider strategies to mitigate any risks. Cameroon Link explains here that, since 2019, gender actors in Cox's Bazaar tents have been working to focus the humanitarian response to the specific needs of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups. They have, for example, promoted gender equality through gender mainstreaming and used advocacy and other approaches to support the empowerment of women and girls. However, with community engagement strategies needing adaptation to COVID-19 containment measures, and some key initiatives such as capacity-building around women's leadership being largely placed on hold, the concern is that gains achieved in the past year could be reversed. To understand the situation, Cameroon Link conducted 4 key informant interviews from June 15-20, 2020 with gender and protection experts working across the humanitarian sectors in the Kousseri and Garoua Boulai refugee response. The researchers also examined publicly available secondary data. Kousseri perceptions included in the report were collected by the International Organization for Migration (IOM)'s Communicating with Communities (CwC) team, which includes camlink field researchers, through a weekly awareness and data collection exercise guided by COVID-19 analytical framework.

The analysis identified risks such as: • Given the rapid pace of the COVID-19 response, GSP may not be prioritised because it is not considered life-saving, and protection issues may be overlooked during a time where protection needs are actually increasing - creating further discrimination, exploitation, and unequal access to services. • Limited access of gender and protection staff to the field due to COVID-19 restrictions entails risk that the response will be unable to quickly identify and respond to urgent gender and protection needs going forward. • In addition to facing increased insecurity in the camps, camlink female volunteers report being stigmatised and harassed due to their association with international humanitarian workers, who are perceived as vectors of the disease. Furthermore, socially restrictive norms limit the access of women and girls to public spheres; women who do not strictly adhere to these norms often experience backlash. The resultant reduced presence of female staff and volunteers could diminish humanitarians' ability to equally serve women and men. In the strict social-religious context of Kousseri and Garoua Boulai communities, it is not acceptable for women to substantially interact with men outside of their households, which is why the presence of female staff and volunteers is essential to delivering humanitarian assistance and services to women.

COVID-19 has disrupted face-to-face interactions in safe places such as women friendly spaces (WFS), which have been a key way to reach those in need of safe gender-based violence (GBV) - the rates of which are elevated during lockdown - and child protection case management and referrals. Movement and access restrictions limit the ability of case managers to interview survivors privately and confidentially, and experts report that women do not trust or feel comfortable using phones for such sensitive issues. • Poor mobile and internet connections have made it difficult to inform the population of changes to services and of COVID-19 developments, as well as to ensure they have access to humanitarian services. This is particularly the case for women (as well as children and the elderly), who are substantially less likely than men to have access to (and/or time to use) mobile communication. • Essential awareness messages not specific to COVID-19, such as on GBV, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and gender, often disseminated through distribution sites and service centres, may not be prioritised over public health messages. Moreover, public health messages are not always gender-responsive, resulting in information being either inaccessible to women and girls (in format and content) or not relevant to them. • Providing essential information and ensuring continuous engagement and consultation with the affected population is challenging in the COVID-19 context, especially for women, girls, and other vulnerable populations with less access to public space. Specifically, the voices of women and other marginalised groups are likely to be underrepresented when relying solely on the remote data collection methods that are necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic. That said, there are some potential benefits to emerge from this situation; for instance: • The increased role of volunteers in the response necessitated by restrictions on official humanitarian workers presents an opportunity to build on past efforts to empower refugee volunteers, especially women, to work within their own communities to identify problems, and solutions. Specifically, more than 20 volunteers across all 6 camps and adjacent Garoua Boulai communities in the east region are conducting awareness sessions and outreach to the most vulnerable to disseminate life-saving messages. Despite social and cultural challenges, Kousseri and Garoua Boulai women in particular have been self-mobilising, forming networks, and raising awareness on COVID-19 across all camps. • Major changes in distributions, particularly door-to-door modalities, have some positive impacts on gender-sensitive programming, including: reducing the need for vulnerable households, particularly female-headed households, to travel to distribution points and carry heavy items; ensuring that distributed goods (e.g., menstrual hygiene management kits) make it to households; and helping deliver life-saving messages door to door to those with less access to public spaces who would not normally receive such messages. • Some gender experts highlighted that, as their normal protection programmes have been put on hold due to the restrictions, they have been able to shift their attention to increasing capacity to strengthen gender and protection mainstreaming in essential assistance and services such as isolation and treatment centres. • Reportedly, funding for gender programming has not been negatively impacted in the short term by the COVID-19 pandemic

Central Africa COVID 19 Emergency Fund Project

CAMLINK FM Radio Network Report of Activities

By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews Role of Community Radio Stations in the Fight with Corona During lockdowns ordered as part of COVID-19 prevention, people are advised to remain at home. "Stay home and stay safe" is a very famous tagline in these days. During this period, people are using different ICTs [information and communication technologies] for giving and receiving information, and for education on many aspects. People are using YouTube, social media such as WhatsApp, https://camlinknews.blogspot.com, and many other sources on the internet. Community radio is a local and participatory medium of communication that provides information to the rural community in official and local languages. In Cameroon , half of the population lives in rural areas. The majority of people are poor in Cameroon. It is very difficult for them to access the internet. In this situation, community radio - a local and participatory type of radio - plays a very important role in disseminating information among the rural community. Rural people want valid and reliable information on Corona. During this time, community radio plays a very important role in broadcasting information on Corona. Presently, over 100 community radios are operational in Cameroon. They broadcast different programmes on different issues, including what protections to take to protect oneself from Corona, such as social distancing information.

Community radio programmes on Corona: 1. University community radio in Buea, Douala and Bamenda: These radio stations are broadcasting programmes like "Break the Fake News Chain" to make the community aware about Corona. 2. Thesecommunity radio stations are broadcasting programmes on health - with a special focus on mental health, ways to deal with alcohol withdrawal, spotlights on various initiatives by individuals and NGOs [non-governmental organisations] like Cameroon Link, appeals on understanding facts and the importance of fighting misinformation, and community testimonies. 3. Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network is running a programme called "Block corona virus", where different stories from different groups are being used to convey messages related to coronavirus. They also broadcast a programme on importance of social distancing, hygiene andsanitattion, handwashing, etc. 4. Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network is providing online information to the community, though this station is operated by minimum staff. This radio station shifted all programmes to digital mode. Listeners are to be encouraged to develop 5-minute audio and uploaded it to YouTube and Facebook. Authorities also taking follow-up measures on digital Platform. 5. Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network : Operating in Grand Hangard – Bonaberi, Douala neighbourhood , broadcasts information received from the district health services, chief medical officers, and other government authorities, including entitlements of extended schemes. This station broadcasts the programme "7 on 7 get in", which features messages from an expert along with a thematic poem on frequent handwashing, access to healthcare services, physical distancing, importance of sports, and time for self-learning on a daily basis to spread positivity in people. We provide information on the coronavirus outbreak through discussions and folk songs. Some sessions are live and some are interactive. In the period of lockdown, visits to each and every village are not possible. In this case, community radio and information through the digital mode is very important to make the community aware of different issues. 6. Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network broadcasts and share programmes on timings and locations of weekly markets, adhering to rules on safe distance, and the status of local ATMs in local languages like Douala, Nweh, Bameleki, Ewondo, Hausa and Pidgin English. This radio station works as a fact checker in the lockdown situation. The station is playing a very important role in educating people about the outbreak of COVID-19. 7. Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network provides a voice to underprivileged groups of society, shares information about the pandemic. Thus, we can say that community radio plays a very important role in dissemination of need-based information among the rural community. As with all of the blogs posted on our website, the content above does not imply the endorsement of The CI or its Partners and is from the perspective of the writer and contributions from Farm Radio International Canada. COVID-19: Best Strategies - What Are We Learning?: Cameroon Link Community Radio FM Network, Lake site FM Kumba, Achenadia FM Radio Bomono, Rock Pilote FM Radio Sodiko an Farm Radio International Canada contributed to this work which we are sharing with you. In addition to the question asked above, Cameroon Link has more questions and wait for your responses to assist us in our work. Here are the questions:WHAT ARE WE LEARNING?

COVID-19 poses some serious challenges for all who use information and engagement strategies to pursue their goals. So, what are we learning about what works best? Some starter questions could include: Which strategies seem to work? Which new strategies do we need to adopt? Which present strategies do we need to adapt? What research is urgently required? What are the main challenges on which you would welcome suggestions and other input? What works for policy engagement on the overall country and global strategies that are being developed? Other learning? Whether you are working through community engagement, social change, entertainment-education, behavioural science and change, media development, freedom of expression, public interest media, social marketing, campaigns, message development, social media, social networks, social movement or any other strand of an information and engagement strategy ... ... please share what you are learning in support of the work of others. To contribute either click on https://camlinknews.blogspot.com access any article and enter your comment at the end of the article you read or youtube you listened to. You can also reply to these reports by email to camlink99@gmail.com Thanks for engaging to share your learning in support of the work of others - camlinknews We invite you to the Commonwealth of Learning The COVID-19 Communication and Community Engagement HUB - the Network for Shared Knowledge and Active Dialogue in Support of Effective COVID-19 Action You will have information on the following issues: Combating Rumours and Misinformation The Communication Initiative Please support and encourage people in your networks to join The Cameroon Link FM Radio network at this link – https://camlinknews.blogspot.com

The Communication Initiative of Cameroon Link

Message from James Achanyi Fontem

CEO, Cameroon Link Hi and huge support for your very important work which is crucial in the present environment.Many thanks to everyone who submitted and/or followed and reviewed the initial COVID-19 dialogue. The purpose of these dialogues is peer-to-peer support for your work. That initial COVID-19 dialogue asked this question: In your assessment, what are the three strategic and/or programming priorities for an effective response to COVID-19? This conversation and debate received over 100 sms and posts (to date). There have been 90,000 interactions through social media re-posts, full email opens, etc) Perhaps just complete the overall survey here with comments specific to COVID-19? Thank you!

FRI Canada Launches Central Africa COVID19 Emergency Fund

By James Achanyi Fontem, camlinknews

Accordinging to Mrs. Blythe McKay, Director of Broadcaster Resources at Farm Radio International, Ontario; Canada; in late May 2020, it was decided that FRI could offer a COVID19 Emergency Fund to broadcasting partners in Central Africa. The Global Affairs Canada COVID-19 Support For Radio Stations aims at assisting broadcasters to engage in prevention of the pandemic. It is likely that most applicants will be from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Cameroon, although there may be some other applicants from other Central African countries (Congo-Brazzaville, Burundi, Rwanda), given that FRI Canada has broadcasting partners in these areas and are connected to these partners via email and WhatsApp. The application process Two separate application forms have been created based on the existing English and French application forms for other FRI countries. The fund and these application forms has been promoted primarily via WhatsApp, but also through email and reminder, beginning early June 2020. Applications are gathered into two spreadsheets (one English, one French) in the Element 4 > Emergency Fund Requests folder on the Gdrive. The review process The evaluation committee includes:

FRI representation: Kathryn Burnham & Hannah Tellier Finance representation: Abdoul Aziz Zonou Regional representation: Representatives from CORACON & Cameroon Link The FRI representatives check the spreadsheets regularly (minimum 3 times a week) and share any new applications with the rest of the committee who consider the merits of these applications. The FRI representative verifies that the applicants are existing broadcasting partners. The representatives from Cameroon Link & CORACON are helping to validate and verify these applications as well, by contacting the organizations to gather the following information: - Proof that the key contact works at the station, which is registered in its country - Verification of the stated needs in the application & ability to procure the equipement desired (if applicable) - Bank information for the organization and individual to transfer the funds. The selection process The evaluation committee meets at least twice, the first time in late-June to review the applications already submitted and to award the funds. (A second round of selection may take place in July or August , 2020 based on the level of demands.) For a list of criteria, see the following document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xAZCgoB29CvrlThBaiKnDhVTawJIKAHSY3KJ9MUQ0wI/edit The transfer of funds FRI will handle transfering funds to the selected stations, preferably through a bank transfer to the station’s account, or using individual transfers and Western Union if necessary. If the station is in an area without access to Western Union or bank, CORACON will assist with a transfer through mobile money. Follow up Representatives from CORACON and Cameroon Link are assisting in following up (in August and September 2020) with stations awarded the funds to gather: - A photo of the station / broadcasters - A short description of how the funds were used and how the station staff & listeners benefited (with an emphasis on how women, youth, and marginalized communities may have benefited). - A short description of how their radio station addressed the COVID-19 situation with its programming. - Feedback on FRI’s resources, particularly resources & services produced related to COVID-19 - Have they used any of FRI Canada resources? How? What did they like or dislike? - Did they participate in our WhatsApp discussions with experts? What did they like or dislike? - How would they rate their satisfaction with the emergency fund process? The application process? The transfer of funds? The follow up from local networkers? Radio Broadcasters’ Team Leader for Francophone Africa, Sébastien Negre cautioned that the goal is to help FRI have a conversation on specific topics that enhances collective work. The documents shared should have concrete information about the activy carried out and that is exactly what is expected from postulants and contributors to the project. - Feel free to contact Radio Broadcasters’ Team Leader for Francophone Africa, Sébastien Negre , Hannah, Katie or Cameroon Link on whatsapp +237674374951 or +237653101286 - Telephone: +237677758840 - +237694340874 - Email: camlink99@gmail.com – jafontem9@yahoo.com

Formation des Agents de Santé Communautaire sur les ISDC

Formation des Agents de Santé Communautaire sur les Interventions Sous Directive Communautaire (ISDC) a Souza, District de Santé d’Abo Par Ojong Helen Ayamba,camlinknews

13 ASC additionnels du District de Santé d’Abo ont suivi une formation de sept (7) jours sur les Interventions Sous Directive Communautaire (ISDC) a Souza du 11 au 18 Mai 2020 sur la supervision de M. TchanaEric, Regional Field Supervisoor (RFS) of IRESCO pour le Littoral. Adressantles participants, M. M. TchanaEric a dit que lq formation est fait dans le contexte de COVID 19 et les recommandations du gouvernement devraient être respectés. La formation était effectuée par M. Mbebi Felix Elie, Cadre au District de Santé d’Abo et M. James AchanyiFontem, Coordonnateur de l’OSCD Cameroon Link. Ils ont dispensés 16 modules touchant sur les généralités de la formation, communication, le paludisme, diarrhée, WASH, IRA, Tuberculose/VIH, La Sante des enfants et Vaccination, nutrition, la sante de la mère et planning familial, VBG, la sante du nouveau-né eten registrèrent des naissances, la surveillance, décèsmaternelle, signaux et COVID 19, la gestion des intrants des ASC, utilisation des outils des ASC et conception un plan d’action communautaire. Chaque module a commencer avec un pré-test et termine par un posttest. Les facilitateurs ont évalué le niveau de compréhension des participants avec organisations des travaux en groupes et présentation des rapports des différents groupes avant les échanges et corrections. Les exercices pratiques et jeux de roles ont étaientorganises par les participants sur tous les modules.

Les ASC sont les Chargés de Communication sur le COVID-19 dans leur communautés a insisté M. James Achanyi Fontem, en citant le VALEURS et PRINCIPES de leur action, inscrits au sein de la CHARTE du Cameroun : 1. Le patient d’abord 2. Révolutionner la médecine humanitaire 3. Responsabilité et liberté 4. Améliorer la qualité de nos actions 5. Faire confiance 6. L’intelligence collective 7. SOIGNER – INNOVER – ENSEMBLE : 8. Depuis sa création en 1991, Cameroon Link est engagé a soigné plus de 3 millions de patients par les conseils, et déploie aujourd’hui ses opérations dans le district de sante d’Abo. En 2018,CAMLINK avait projeté de travailler dans 3 projets dont 3 projets de recherche axés sur la malnutrition, le virus Ebola et l’allaitement maternel. L’ensemble de ces projets se fait en appui aux autorités sanitaires nationales à travers plus de 20 structures de santé (dont 2 hôpitaux et 18 structures de santé). CAMLINK intervient en réponse à des crises humanitaires et les patients sont au cœur de toutes les actions. OSC CAMLINK travaille en partenariat dès que cela est possible afin d’ assurer que les patients bénéficient de l’expertise là où elle se trouve, que ce soit au niveau du Cameroun ou du reste du monde. 9. En parallèle, face à la propagation du Covid-19 au Cameroun, CAMLINK se coordonne depuis fin janvier 2020 avec les autorités sanitaires nationales dans lesquels elle intervient afin d’appuyer non seulement pour apporter des réponses locales aux cas de Covid19 mais pour coordonner des actions de plaidoyer afin de développer une stratégie globale de réponse au virus. Ainsi, CAMLINK travaille avec les autorités de plusieurs pays africains et développe une réponse en soutien aux Ministères de la Santé Publique du Cameroun.

Sous la supervision du responsable Urgences COVID-19 au Cameroun, en liaison avec les équipes opérationnelles sur les missions et l’équipe Communication du siège à Douala, le/la chargé(e) de la communication d’urgence appuie les activités de communication sur les opérations Coronavirus dans: • Gestion des relations media (nationaux et internationaux) • Production de contenus pour la presse, le grand public et la et la levée de fonds • Appui aux actions de communication opérationnelle sur les terrains d’intervention Les missions de chargé de communication sont définies en collaboration entre la mission et le responsable de communication. Les 13 personnes formes dans le district de sante d’Abo sont : Bakehe Parfait Emmanuel, Bessoungkang, Tel : +237 675114923 Bille Ekwadi ARIS, Bessoungkang, Tel : +237690521019 Engome Monique, Bessoungkang, Tel : +237 690556806 EndalleDipanda Christine, Bessoungkang, Tel : +237 690719054 Kongolo Jean Manfred, Mangamba, Tel : +237 653567844 NGO Epanda Martin, Mbonjo, Tel : +237 690449087 Ngo Hermine, Mbonjo, Tel : +237 697367054 Fanmeugnie Nina Diane, Miang, Tel: +237 699213836 KediNseke Rose, Miang, Tel:+237 697966972 BokopNdjansep Dorine Flavie, Souza, +237 670545110 DjouelonKambiet Aristide Sylvie, Tel, +237 696019620 KoegneTadjou Caroline Desire, Souza, Tel : +237 698868110 Ngatchou Patrice, Souza, Tel : Tel ; +237 694697966 Ces ASC ont appris technique de remplissage des registres sur les VAD et plaidoyer, registre de consultation et fiche de référence. Avant de prendre les matériels de travail de l’ASC pour démarrage des activités dans leurs aires de santé.