WHO AND WMO

National communication strategies

Sector

Health and environment

Discipline

Data visualisation and infographics
Publication design and layout
Website and app development
Communications strategy
Digital and social media

The background

Climate change affects health in many ways. A key first step in addressing these impacts is effective communication, including a plan for mobilising action and engaging communities and various levels of government. This project involved the production of climate change and health communication strategies for government and UN agencies in Tanzania and Malawi and associated climate change and health initiatives.
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This work was part of a three- to four-year relationship with Clim-Health Africa, the International Network for Climate and Health for Africa, supported by WHO and WMO. 
Both Malawi and Tanzania are now dealing with the issue of climate change and health head-on with some great communication initiatives. It is likely that other countries on the continent will soon follow suit.

The brief

To develop communications strategies for Tanzania and Malawai and expand and develop the Clim-HEALTH Africa website.

Our response

This project followed on the heels of the Climate and Health Communication Strategy for Africa, written by our lead consultant, Tom Scalway, for WHO and Soul City Africa in collaboration with the South African Medical Research Council. This work drew on Tom’s extensive experience as a communication strategy and evaluation consultant. He travelled to Tanzania and Malawi, and engaged in a number of workshops and dialogues with the aim to improve national-level communication efforts on climate change and health. 
Based on that, Lushomo developed climate change and health communication strategies for Tanzania and Malawi and developed a suite of materials for the Clim-Health Africa website to support enhanced communication on health and environment.

From the strategies that were developed, many communication tools were suggested. These included mobile-friendly websites, health advisories, social media content, and tailored decision-making tools. Also included were responsible journalism and media toolkits, guides for healthcare professionals and an online training course.

Website
‍Developing the strategy documents guided the development of specific country pages on the Clim-HEALTH Africa website and a number of news items.

See more website and app development
Based on a draft report received from WHO-AFRO, as well as access to raw survey data, Lushomo produced a report with data visualisations and infographics to highlight country progress on implementing the Libreville Declaration. The report and the results that is showcased were used to inform deliberations at the conference, that led to the development of the new strategic action plan.
Based on a draft report received from WHO-AFRO, as well as access to raw survey data, Lushomo produced a report with data visualisations and infographics to highlight country progress on implementing the Libreville Declaration. The report and the results that is showcased were used to inform deliberations at the conference, that led to the development of the new strategic action plan.
Based on a draft report received from WHO-AFRO, as well as access to raw survey data, Lushomo produced a report with data visualisations and infographics to highlight country progress on implementing the Libreville Declaration. The report and the results that is showcased were used to inform deliberations at the conference, that led to the development of the new strategic action plan.

Strategic guidance
‍Lushomo worked with national WHO and government representatives and met with a range of stakeholders and institutions to hear about the daily impact of climate change on health. Teams within the countries guided the work, enhancing ownership and sustainability.

In Malawi, we gave a press conference which was broadcast on national public television. We also participated in the development of a concept for an interactive tool for understanding the linkages between climate, region and vulnerability to malaria, cholera and more.