EMERGENCY APPEAL TO FIGHT COVID 19

Although COVID-19 is no longer considered an immediate public health threat or major societal disruption, its impact continues to shape how communities approach health, hygiene, and preparedness. Through our Emergency Appeal to Fight COVID-19, Camp for Peace Liberia has transitioned from emergency response to long-term prevention, ensuring that the lessons learned during the pandemic are sustained and integrated into everyday community life.

During the height of the pandemic, our interventions focused on awareness, prevention, and the protection of vulnerable populations. As the situation has stabilized, our approach has evolved into promoting sustained behavioral change and strengthening community resilience against future outbreaks—whether related to COVID-19 or other public health risks.

We continue to uphold and promote best practices across all our programs. These include regular handwashing as a cornerstone of hygiene, the use of face coverings—particularly in dusty or high-risk environments—and the reinforcement of proper sanitation practices in homes, schools, and community spaces. These preventive measures are no longer treated as temporary responses but as essential habits for healthy living.

These practices have been intentionally integrated into our broader programming, including our camping activities, vocational training, and community outreach initiatives. Children, youth, and women engaged in our programs are consistently encouraged to adopt and model these behaviors, creating a ripple effect within their families and communities.

In one of our target communities, a mother of three shared how the COVID-19 awareness sessions organized by Camp for Peace Liberia significantly transformed her family’s approach to hygiene and health. Before the intervention, handwashing was not consistently practiced in her household, and sanitation conditions were often overlooked due to limited awareness. However, after participating in community sensitization sessions and receiving practical demonstrations, she began to implement simple but impactful changes. She established a regular handwashing routine for her children, ensured that water and soap were always available, and encouraged the use of face coverings during dusty seasons and crowded gatherings. Over time, these practices became part of their daily life.

“What we learned during COVID has helped us even now. My children are healthier, and we are more careful about cleanliness in our home. It is no longer just about COVID—it is about protecting our family every day,” she explained.

Her children have also taken these lessons to school, influencing their peers and reinforcing positive hygiene behaviors within their community.

This experience reflects the enduring value of the Emergency Appeal. While the immediate crisis has passed, the knowledge, habits, and systems established during that time continue to produce meaningful outcomes. As we move forward, Camp for Peace Liberia remains committed to embedding health education, hygiene promotion, and preventive practices across all programs.