We are in this together: Response to COVID-19 in the Americas

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Voices of the Americas and the Caribbean • April 2020 WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER RESPONSE TO COVID-19 IN THE AMERICAS

When the world started seeing more and more cases of COVID-19 in 2020, we realized we were seeing something new.

Since the early days of the outbreak, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has been coordinating with National Societies throughout the Americas, to support with monitoring, issuing advisories, pre-position personal, protective equipment for high-risk activities, scenario planning, analyzing risk, and taking other actions.

As a trusted partner and voice in this outbreak, the Red Cross and Red Crescent has an important role in sharing accurate information, while dispelling rumours and misinformation and preventing stigma.

Local, community-based volunteers educate the public about COVID-19, share prevention information, help prevent misinformation, and reduce rumours and panic.

The Colombian Red Cross has created a new website packed with COVID-19 information. The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross Society has created messages aimed at children to have them become a COVID-Champ and stop the spread of the virus.

Not only do Red Cross National Societies share information in multiple languages and with visual aids, but they are running informational workshops, and connecting people with basic health services.

In the early days of COVID-19 in Belize, the Belize Red Cross had a handwashing campaign that demonstrated good handwashing and gave a place for people to try. Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross is working alongside the health department and volunteers are supporting contact tracing by phone of people who test positive for coronavirus.

It’s important that while looking after ourselves in times of outbreak, we do our best to care for family, friends and the community by respecting local public health measures like self-isolation and quarantine. In Panama, the Red Cross has a communications campaign using megaphones to disseminate messages of prevention and mitigation of COVID-19, requesting people to stay home

Across the Americas, the Red Cross is helping people at home through psychosocial support phone lines. The Chilean and Ecuadorian Red Crosses, for example, is targeting phone support to older adults who are isolated and need assistance.

The Red Cross remains focused on the most vulnerable populations including the millions of people who are currently displaced or on the move. Many of these people may be at greater risk of contracting diseases like COVID-19 because of language barriers, legal status, limited access to critical medical care and poor living and working conditions.

The Ecuador Red Cross is distributing food kits to people with disabilities living in poverty. In Dominica, the Red Cross is ensuring posters in many languages are hung around communities so all have access to critical information about staying safe and healthy during COVID-19.

In El Salvador, the Red Cross delivers safe water to poor neighborhoods, and in Argentina they collect information on community needs.

While what we have seen with COVID-19 is new, we need to remain calm and remember, we’re all in this together.