Responding to COVID-19 Waves

Woman in face mask offers a mask to her male friend

When COVID-19 waves happen, organizations and local governments may respond by adding new requirements, like masking indoors, or by prioritizing messaging that encourages people to choose preventative measures on their own. The availability of testing and vaccines is even more important during waves than it is normally. 

Some refugee, immigrant and migrant communities may have had different levels of access to information and tools, like testing, than other communities. Individuals can help by talking to others about COVID-19 waves and how to stay safe. 

Organizations can also take steps to respond to COVID-19 waves while centering the experiences of people in RIM communities:

If your organization needs help responding to a wave, consider requesting technical assistance.


Flyer Icon

Initiating the COVID-19 Vaccine Conversation through Flyers

Initiating COVID-19 vaccine conversations through flyers is a creative way to use a traditional communication method. Hand out COVID-19 flyers to all clients regardless of the reason for their visit. 
Learn more

Image of two speech bubbles with letters on them indicating a translated exchange of information

Multilingual COVID-19 Vaccine Education Workshops

COVID-19 vaccine education workshops, facilitated in a language the community understands, increases trust and helps clients make informed decisions for themselves and their communities. 
Learn more

Radio

Culturally Specific Vaccine Information Broadcasts

By partnering with media outlets that are trusted in the community, vaccine messages can be culturally tailored and address unique concerns. 
Learn more

Whatsapp icon

WhatsApp to Reach and Engage RIM Communities

WhatsApp is a popular social messaging tool for many communities, including refugees, immigrants, and migrants and can be a powerful tool to reach and engage communities. 
Learn more

Idea icon

Youth Ambassadors

Young people serve as key sources of local news and community information, helping their families make important decisions and access services including those related to healthcare. 
Learn more

Story icon

Faith Leaders

During the COVID-19 pandemic, faith leaders have played an important role in easing concerns, fears, and anxieties, and promoting COVID-19 prevention and mitigation.
Learn more

Silhouette of person with medical uniform

Healthcare Providers

Physicians and other healthcare providers are frequently viewed as leaders and trusted sources of information, especially if they are from the communities they serve. 
Learn more

Social Media Icon

Social Media Influencers

People in RIM communities may not use traditional media sources that are not published in their language. Health departments and CBOs can reach them through social media influencers.
Learn more

School icon

Schools

K-12 schools serve as community resources to assist students and families from refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities and are uniquely positioned to bridge cultural and linguistic knowledge gaps for health departments. 
Learn more

Silhouette image of three people above a gear symbol, implying teamwork

Employers

Local businesses can be great partners in COVID-19 testing initiatives, distributing health education materials, creating a safe work environment, and supporting public health interventions such as vaccination and contact tracing. 
Learn more

Consulate icon

Consulates

Engaging with consulates is a strategy for building or enhancing relationships with refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities. 
Learn more

Vaccine Icon

Faith Organizations

Faith-based organizations frequently play an integral role within communities. Select this promising practice to learn more about involving faith-based organizations in vaccine campaigns.
Learn more

Mother with glasses holds baby at park with trees in the background

Mothers x Mothers

Mothers x Mothers is a toolkit designed to help organizations plan and implement health-focused meetup groups for immigrant and refugee mothers. By equipping mothers with the tools to host their own meetups, we can increase access to relevant information delivered in a safe, supportive space. Learn more


Two teens explore content on their phones and smile

#NoJudgment

#NoJudgment is a toolkit, created for and by immigrant and refugee youth, that offers resources for community-based organizations and individuals to help de-escalate the often polarized conversations that are taking place around the COVID-19 vaccine among young people. Learn more


Other Events

Map icon

Pop-Up COVID-19 Vaccine Sites

Through community partnerships, “pop-up” COVID-19 vaccine sites in locations such as apartment complexes are a promising practice to bring vaccines directly to the community.
Learn more

Silhouette image of mobile clinic van

Mobile Vaccine Units to Serve Communities

Mobile vaccine units are proving to be a successful solution for ensuring COVID-19 vaccines reach RIM communities.
Learn more

Silhouette of building with a cross on it implying medical services

Vaccination Events at Community Clinics

Offering vaccinations through pop-up events at community clinics already familiar to refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities is a promising practice to support equitable and efficient vaccine distribution.

tent icon

Community Fairs

Hosted at an accessible site, community fairs can be organized around themes ranging from school to community health to community resources like food, rent and utility assistance.
Learn more

Testing icon

At-home testing instructions

NRC-RIM has compiled instructions for 8 brands of at-home tests in 20+ languages in written and video format. 
Learn more

School icon

Bring COVID-19 Testing Services Directly to Communities

Bringing testing services to RIM communities ensures culturally and linguistically appropriate access to COVID-19 testing services, reduces stigma surrounding testing, and builds trust. 
Learn more

Help icon

Get the facts about testing

Our fact sheet offers information about COVID-19 tests available in 40+ languages. 
Learn more

Silhouette image of mobile clinic van

Mobile Testing Clinics

Our comprehensive resource offers practice guidance to testing event organizers interested in mobile testing among refugee, immigrant and migrant communities.
Learn more