PROTECTION NOTE Community-based protection and participation Forcibly displaced populations in West and Central Africa are expected to become even more marginalized and vulnerable in this unprecedented context in terms of scale and nature. Women, the elderly, adolescents, youth, children, persons with disabilities, and minorities already experience the highest degree of socio-economic marginalization, increasing their exposure to several additional protection risks, due to factors such as the lack of access to effective surveillance and early-warning systems, as well as to health services in displacement settings. The COVID-19 outbreak is predicted to have significant impacts on various sectors, especially persons of concern to UNHCR who are most at risk and: (i) depend heavily on the informal economy; (ii) occupy densely populated areas prone to shocks; (iii) have inadequate access to social services or “political” influence; (iv) have limited capacities and opportunities to cope and adapt; and (v) have limited or no access to technologies, already rendering the UNHCR and partners awareness/prevention efforts problematic. Legal status, discrimination, and language barriers may limit access to otherwise publicly available preventative materials, health care and social services for displaced persons in the region. Like other official information, health service information and key preventive self-care measures, and crucial Government announcements, may not reach them. Refugees and others on the move may not be included in national strategies/plan/interventions. Response • Establishment of an interagency website, in the framework of the Covid-19 Response Risk Communication and Community Engagement working group for West and Central Africa, gathering tools (in English, French and local languages) for community engagement on the coronavirus: https://coronawestafrica.info/ • Development and compilation of Communication with Communities (CWC) tools adapted to specific population groups (for example rap and reggae songs and street art for the youth); • Translation of WHO and Ministry of Health advisories and public health information on COVID-19 and its prevention into preferred languages of refugees, stateless persons and IDPs; • Dissemination of these messages through digital channels including social networks, youth groups, NGOs, refugee volunteers and respective communities, radio and other cultural platforms. These channels are also used for feedback by persons of concern. ©UNHCR/Jean Sebastien Josset www.unhcr.org Refugees at a sensitization on handwashing techniques at the One-Stop-Shop for refugees and asylum seekers in Niamey, Niger. 3