Risk communication, community engagement and infodemic management

Empowering communities in emergencies through risk communication, community engagement and
infodemic management (RCCE-IM)

The WHO Regional Office for Europe is building countries’ capacity in risk communication, community engagement and infodemic management (RCCE-IM) by establishing long-term structures, systems and skills. RCCE-IM is an essential public health intervention that is key to successful emergency response throughout the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery phases. It enables tailored, targeted and more efficient emergency interventions that build trust between people and health authorities, address rumours and misinformation, lead to the acceptance and uptake of protective measures, and ultimately, save lives.

RCCE-IM is one of the 8 core capacities that all States Parties to the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) commit to develop and implement. It is also a component of preparedness within the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) framework; the health emergency preparedness, response, and resilience (HEPR) architecture; and the European Programme of Work, 2020–2025, “United Action for Better Health in Europe” (EPW).

Health emergencies, such as COVID-19 and mpox, and humanitarian ones like the war in Ukraine and the massive earthquake in Türkiye and Syria, have underscored the vital role of RCCE-IM, putting it higher than ever before on the political agenda.

Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE)