By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Makeni, Sierra Leone – September 2026: The National Public Health Agency (NPHA), in partnership with government institutions and international stakeholders, has completed a five‑day National Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Operations Training in Makeni City to strengthen Sierra Leone’s capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies.
The programme brought together RCCE personnel from national and district levels alongside representatives from the Ministry of Health, PSI, UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Environment Protection Agency, Office of National Security, GOAL, UNICEF, the U.S. Department of State, and other partners.
A Training of Trainers (ToT) component established a pool of national RCCE trainers to cascade knowledge and tools to colleagues at all levels, ensuring sustainability beyond the training. Participants were equipped to plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate evidence‑based, inclusive, and community‑centred RCCE interventions across the full emergency management cycle.
Sessions covered community data and feedback, rapid assessment methods, social and media monitoring, gender and equity considerations, and evidence generation. A progressive simulation exercise allowed participants to apply skills in realistic emergency scenarios, testing coordination, decision‑making, and readiness for evolving crises.
The programme reinforced the One Health perspective, recognising the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Stakeholder mapping, community‑led approaches, and inclusive communication strategies were emphasised to build trust and resilience.
On the final day, participants developed evidence‑based RCCE action plans with clear objectives, activities, responsibilities, budgets, and indicators to strengthen preparedness at national and district levels. The training concluded with evaluations and certification.
Officials underscored that investing in RCCE capacity is an investment in public trust, community resilience, and Sierra Leone’s ability to respond effectively to future health emergencies.