GESS Broadcasts Vital Information Through Radio and SMS to Help Stop the Spread of Covid-19

As Covid-19 continues to spread, so, too, does misinformation about the virus. GESS is promoting facts over fear, bringing trustworthy health guidance to communities across South Sudan through radio and SMS. By providing trusted, accurate and actionable information, we aim to help people adopt healthy behaviours that can save lives and help stop the spread of the virus.

GESS is working with partner BBC Media Action to produce and broadcast radio public service announcements (PSAs) that deliver vital information about Covid-19 and overall hygiene and sanitation, including Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance on physical distancing and protective behaviours, to help people keep themselves and their families safe. We are working with 31 partner radio stations to air the PSAs in multiple languages across the country, reaching even remote communities.

To ensure the progress made in girls’ education through the GESS programme is not lost, we are also broadcasting new radio PSAs to encourage parents to let their children continue learning whilst schools are closed. In addition, we are reviewing existing episodes of our popular radio show, ‘Our School’ – which reached 2 million listeners in phase one of GESS – for possible re-broadcast, to ensure that communities continue to support children’s learning, particularly for girls and children with disabilities, during this uncertain period.

GESS will also use existing SMS systems to reach school management with important messages relating to Covid-19, including messages that highlight the importance of following GRSS guidance to keep schools closed until further notice. Our priority is to make sure that communities stay safe and maintain hope, and that children can continue to learn at home.

3 PSAs are currently being aired on 31 partner radio stations across South Sudan. To listen to the 3 PSAs in Arabic, see below:

PSA 1 – Explaining Effective Hand Washing to Children:

PSA 2 – Explaining Social Distancing to Children:

PSA 3 – Encouraging Learning at Home:

To read the scripts in English, go here: Our School- COVID-19 RESPONSE PSA Scripts

The proposed interventions have been developed in close collaboration with partner, the Ministry of General Education & Instruction (MoGEI) and our donors. GESS is funded by UK aid from the UK government and by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.

If you are in South Sudan and require more information on Covid-19 and how to best protect yourself and your family call the toll-free number – 6666.

Categorised in: Girls' Education, Social & Behavioural Change Communication