Leading by example throughout the pandemic
Leading by example throughout the pandemic
As concerns over COVID continue to grow, ISF Cambodia (ISF) leads by example, vaccinating all but three staff members and ensuring our team puts the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Ministry of Health Cambodia (MOH) best practices into action.
COVID-19 infections continue to surge throughout Cambodia. As of Monday, 28 June, Reuters reported 47,649 total cases, 540 deaths, and 6,616,277 vaccine doses administered 1.
Throughout the pandemic, ISF has committed to lead by example and provide resources to our community. True to our commitment, we are proud to announce that all but three staff members (who are currently pregnant) have elected to and have received both doses of the COVID vaccine.
Compared to other countries, Cambodia has had a slower trajectory of cases. Although some statistics, like the number of case counts compared to other more populated countries, may be misleading, some actions have contributed to a slower and more delayed spread. “Extensive mass testing complemented with contact tracing, [the] timely response of Cambodia’s neighbouring countries, and the compliance of the general public to the restrictions” 2 are all contributing factors.
However, after continuing to report high case counts, there’s a growing concern for the continued spread. Learning from other countries’ experiences, WHO and MOH share that best practices include risk communication and community engagement. Ensuring communities have access to engaging information and materials about COVID and prevention is vital in stopping the spread 3.
According to the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) data gathered in July of 2018, only 6,579,808, or 40% of Cambodians, use the internet 4. ISF’s team shares that access to the internet, access to devices, and a limited connection contribute to the “why”. As the primary source of rapid information on prevention, transmission, and spread, the low reported count and limited access present a major problem when identifying actionable items in slowing transmission.
Alongside obtaining and distributing additional resources like monthly food parcels, hygienic supplies and rent support, our dedicated team has worked to ensure our community, specifically, our students, have reliable access to the internet and devices. To help combat limited access to the internet and technology, we loan tablets and provide data top-ups to ensure that students not only have access to online learning but also can participate in social groups, like Facebook, where pertinent information is shared.
Our team understands that access to pandemic-related information is vital in educating the country and slowing the spread. To reach community members who don’t have access to the internet, we’ve printed out posters explaining hygiene best practices and have hung them throughout the community and at our school campuses. Additionally, we organise monthly meetings to talk about the latest information on COVID prevention and our social workers regularly visit the community and offer support.
Emphasising connectivity and following WHO and MOH best practices, ISF continues to show the community why education is important. While there is misinformation about COVID, the vaccine, and the pandemic, ISF continues to lead by example, vaccinating all staff members and striving to share context-appropriate and true information with our community.
1 Bhatia, Gurman, et al. “Cambodia: the Latest Coronavirus Counts, Charts and Maps.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 27 June 2021, graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps/countries-and-territories/cambodia/.
2 Nit, Buntongyi et al. “Understanding the Slow COVID-19 Trajectory of Cambodia.” Public health in practice (Oxford, England) vol. 2 (2021): 100073. doi:10.1016/j.puhip.2020.100073
3 “COVID-19 Joint WHO-MOH Situation Report 51.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, www.who.int/cambodia/internal-publications-detail/covid-19-joint-who-moh-situation-report-51.
4 Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cambodia/.
