Impact Case Study: Community sensitive emergency measures taken during COVID-19 in informal settlements in Freetown, Sierra Leone

The participatory and inclusive approach employed by the ARISE Sierra Leone partners strengthened relationships and trust between communities and the government agency responsible for the COVID-19 response at the district level (DICOVERC – District COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre). This created a more open and conducive environment for health service uptake within these communities. ARISE created spaces to give a voice to communities, allowing them to communicate with service providers on how the lockdown was affecting every aspect of their lives and highlight their evolving needs as the pandemic unfolded. This attitudinal shift amongst health professionals has the potential for long-term influence on how health services for informal settlements are planned and delivered. For informal settlement communities, stronger awareness of, and trust in, health services has positive implications for future health service uptake.