Awareness to Action: Strengthening RCCE, Combating Future Pandemics in Bangladesh

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh, the risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) platform aimed to provide accurate information and encourage community engagement to minimise risks. The RCCE partners utilised behaviour change approaches to motivate people to take appropriate action and collaborated with communities to develop plans based on their unique circumstances. Throughout the pandemic, the RCCE platform worked tirelessly to disseminate real-time information and facilitate communication among frontline health providers, community outreach workers and community members in partnership with various stakeholders. This article addresses several possible questions regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of the RCCE response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Was the RCCE platform able to swiftly and efficiently orchestrate a campaign that yielded results for the country? Was there a concrete platform in place, which could address the challenges posed by the pandemic? Lastly, what revisions could be envisioned for the next pandemic response?