AMARC joins UNESCO in the fight against Zika in Latin America and the Caribbean

Montreal, March 21, 2016. The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC) joins UNESCO, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent and the World Health Organization in the fight against Zika virus.

From March 21 to April 17, AMARC will mobilize community radio stations from its network in Zika-affected countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to help disseminate prevention and health-related information via an international radio campaign.

INFORMATION FOR RADIOS

A series of three radio information spots produced by UNESCO, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent and the World Health Organization is available in four major languages of the region: English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

These spots are available to all community radio stations members/affiliated to AMARC for broadcast from March 21 to April 17, 2016. The audio spots are available for download on Soundcloud and on AMARC’s website.

 The 60 seconds audio spots depict two neighbors who inform each other about the risks of Zika and the best ways to protect against mosquitoes carrying the virus. The dialog provides all the necessary information. It continues with a third person, in order to illustrate the role that each of us can play in the dissemination of prevention messages.

• “Protection from vector” (Spot 1) provides general information and effective measures to respect, to protect oneself his community. It is a general mobilization message.
• “Protect pregnant women” (Spot 2) aims to educate pregnant women about the specific risks of Zika virus. The virus is transmitted from mother to child, so it is important to protect especially pregnant women. This is everyone’s concern.
• “Avoiding rumors” (Spot 3) aims to propagate real and valid information about the virus and risks. This is to dispel the rumors and not to let a panic atmosphere arise in communities.

Spot 1 is accessible to download (copyright free) on Soundcloud and AMARC’s website.

Spot 2 and 3 will be available from shortly. Please check AMARC’s website.

 More information about the campaign

All relevant information and information about this campaign is available on UNESCO’s thematic webpage.