During the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Liberia, UNICEF supported over 1,000 interpersonal communicators to educate communities on Ebola prevention and treatment. Lawu Massaquoi and her team were on the ground for months doing general awareness in vulnerable neighborhoods like New Kru Town—a large slum on the outskirts of Monrovia. At first denial was very common. In fact, they were often threatened and told to leave. "Even if people died from the virus, they didn't believe it," explains Anthony Vorkpar—another general community health volunteer. But, now after weeks of outreach 75% of people are accepting their messages.
Client: UNICEF