Delivering community-based prevention, awareness, and risk communication across Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement — protecting one of Uganda's most densely populated displacement communities from the spread of COVID-19.
When COVID-19 reached Uganda in March 2020, Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement faced a particular set of vulnerabilities. Tens of thousands of people lived in close quarters with limited access to clean water, health services stretched thin by existing demand, and a population for whom lockdown guidance communicated through mainstream media simply did not arrive in a language or format they could act on.
YSAT was positioned to respond because its staff are from the same communities they serve. They understood which information channels reached which zones, how messaging needed to be adapted for different language groups, and how to mobilise the trust networks already present in the settlement — refugee community structures, women's groups, and religious leaders — to carry prevention messaging where formal systems could not.
The response went beyond awareness. YSAT coordinated the distribution of personal protective equipment, supported safe hygiene infrastructure, and maintained a community-level surveillance network to identify and refer suspected cases early, protecting both refugees and the surrounding host communities.
YSAT deployed community health workers and mobilisers to deliver COVID-19 prevention messaging door-to-door across all seven zones. Messaging was delivered in multiple languages including Juba Arabic, Nuer, and Dinka, using formats communities trusted — community radio, public address systems, and community leader networks.
Face masks, hand sanitiser, and soap were distributed to vulnerable households, health facilities, and community gathering points across the settlement. Priority was given to households with elderly members, persons with disabilities, and families with young children.
Handwashing stations were installed and maintained at high-traffic locations including food distribution points, health centres, schools, and market areas. YSAT supervised regular cleaning and restocking to ensure consistent access to hygiene facilities throughout the response.
45 Village Health Teams (VHTs) were identified and oriented on effective COVID-19 prevention and response measures within their communities. To support their mobility and outreach, 35 bicycles and 35 megaphones were distributed to VHTs. 500 IEC materials were translated into different local languages and distributed among refugee and host communities to ensure inclusive access to COVID-19 information.
YSAT maintained a community-level surveillance system to monitor emerging cases and refer individuals showing symptoms to the nearest health facility. Daily reporting from community health workers fed into a tracking system that allowed the team to identify hotspots and intensify engagement in affected zones before cases spread.
Community radio sessions were broadcast regularly in local languages to reach households beyond the reach of door-to-door outreach. Programming covered prevention practices, myth-busting, and guidance on what to do if symptoms appeared — building a consistent public information environment across the entire settlement.
Individuals reached with COVID-19 prevention and response
Village Health Teams oriented on COVID-19 prevention and response
Settlement zones covered with community-level response
Touch-free handwashing facilities installed at health centres and Arua Regional Referral Hospital