Samoa’s communication experts were along with others from the Pacific island countries who gathered this week to strengthen communication and engagement with communities during emergencies.

The Pacific Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Workshop took place in Nadi, Fiji, from 7-10 November and was jointly organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pacific Community (SPC).

As Pacific nations cope with ongoing challenges posed by various health threats – from disease outbreaks to the impacts of climate change – the workshop aimed to boost capacities to better listen to, engage and inform Pacific peoples and communities. The countries also agreed to launch a revitalized Pacific Risk Communication and Community Engagement Network – a platform for country focal points to exchange views, resources, and support peer-to-peer learning.

“COVID-19 reminded us all that the success of any emergency response relies on close collaboration with people and communities,” said WHO Representative to the South Pacific and Director of Pacific Technical Support, Dr Mark Jacobs. “Effective communication with, and understanding of, our communities in the face of public health threats is an absolute necessity.”

Fiji’s Permanent Secretary of Health, Dr James Fong, agreed: “Health authorities need to listen to their people, understand how they feel and think, and empower them to play their part in protecting their health and the health of others during crises – whether that’s an outbreak, pandemic or cyclone.”

The importance of risk communication has long been recognized, with the field included as a one of the core capacities under the International Health Regulations (2005), a legally binding framework that defines countries’ rights and obligations in handling public health events and emergencies. Yet countries worldwide, including in the Pacific, have faced challenges in communicating risks and science to the public, especially during emergencies when emotions can run high. This has been exacerbated by the rising spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media which has led many people to question who or what to believe. In the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, nearly 6,000 people around the globe were hospitalized because of COVID-19 misinformation.

“Communicating accurate information in a timely manner, to all those at risk, is critical during health emergencies and disasters,” said SPC’s Director of the Public Health Division, Dr Berlin Kafoa. “It is very timely to reinforce risk communication capacity and preparedness using the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to improve the health security of our Pacific communities.”

Detailed discussions during the workshop focused on topics such as how to plan in advance to communicate about different kinds of emergencies, how to coordinate with colleagues and partners, and how to gather feedback from the public. As the communication and emergency experts return to their home countries, they will take with them the knowledge to enhance the application of risk communication.

“The way we communicate can make a difference between calm and chaos, clarity and confusion, safety and harm,” added Dr Jacobs. “Our words and actions have the power to shape the resilience of our communities, and this workshop in Fiji is a right step towards the direction of better informed and engaged people, and ultimately, a healthier and safer Pacific.”

The workshop was made possible with financial support from the Government of Germany, European Union, and Asian Development Bank.