Orientation of Swachhagrahis by PRD-UP in collaboration with UNICEF on

COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour (CAB)

Introduction Panchayati Raj Department (PRD) – Uttar Pradesh, as an unique intervention decided to orient Swachhagrahis and other frontline workers of the state as on-ground Corona Warriors under SBM(G)-Uttar Pradesh on COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, its containment and management in rural areas beginning from house-to-house surveillance to the cremation protocols. In collaboration with UNICEF, PRD organized a campaign to orient approximately 20,000 Swachhagrahis and other front-line workers. Under this unique initiative by government, front-line workers are being directly oriented by UNICEF and PRD experts using online platform. The objective of the orientation is to equip/empower the Swachhagrahis and other front-line workers with correct knowledge for containment and management of COVID-19 in rural areas as well as the safety measures/protocols to be followed by them while working as Corona Warriors in their respective villages.

The orientation sessions The campaign was launched on 18 May 2021, continued till 4 June 2021 and had ten orientation sessions covering all 18 divisions of the state. A total of 15,406 people of eighteen divisions (1000-Devipatan, 1390-, 500-, 1258-; 1637-; 1292-Basti & Chitrakoot; 949- & ; 2404- & Prayagraj; 2769-, , & Mirzapur and 2207-Amzamgarh, & ) have been oriented during ten different sessions using online platform in the form of webinar. The orientation number included direct online participants as well as other participants attending the same session through sharing of screen of their mobile/laptop. The extra numbers were taken into consideration during the introduction of the participants. The orientations were chaired by Nodal Officer PRD-UP and respective Divisional Deputy Directors (PRD) and facilitated by UNICEF (WASH, Health & C4D) and PRD team. The participants included Swachhagrahis, ASHA, ANM, AWW, Lekhpal, Rojgar Sevak, Gram Pradhan, Nigrani Samiti members, school teachers and district SBM(G) team.

The orientations provided clarity on following topics: - ➢ COVID-19 disease & its symptoms in accordance with second wave ➢ COVID -19 – testing, isolation and treatment ➢ COVID nutrition ➢ Black fungus ➢ Vaccination and its registration details (video for registration on COWIN was also circulated through WhatsApp) ➢ COVID-19 appropriate behaviors ➢ Management of COVID-19 waste ➢ COVID-19 care center at village level ➢ Role of Swachhagrahis/ASHA/ANM at the villages ➢ Protocols for cremation of dead body of COVID-19 patient ➢ Question and Answer (Q&A)

Detail of orientations and participants

Session Division Chaired by No. of Type of No. of & Date ques. participants participants asked (direct online + screen sharing) Session Devipatan Nodal 40 Swachhagrahi & 1000 1 - 18 Officer PRD- district SBM(G) May UP & DD- team Panchayat Session Gorakhpur Nodal 148 Swachhagrahis, 1390 2 - 19 Officer PRD- ASHA, ANM, May UP & DD- AWW, Gram Panchayat Pradhan, school Gorakhpur teachers, Lekhpal, division Rojgar Sevak, and district SBM(G) team Session Varanasi Nodal 58 - Same as above - 500 3 – 19 Officer PRD- May UP & DD- Panchayat Session Faizabad Nodal 62 - Same as above - 1258 4 - 20 Officer PRD- (776 + 482) May UP & DD- Panchayat Session Bareilly Nodal 82 - Same as above - 1637 5 - 20 Officer PRD- (1066+572) May UP & DD- Panchayat Session Basti and Nodal 75 - Same as above - 1292 6 -21 Chitrakoot Officer PRD- (716+576) May UP & DD - Panchayat of each division Session Kanpur and Nodal 78 - Same as above - 949 7 – 22 Jhansi Officer PRD- (615+334) May UP & DD - Panchayat of each division Session Aligarh and Nodal 82 - Same as above - 2404 8 – 24 Prayagraj Officer PRD- (998+1406) May UP & DD - 2021 Panchayat of each division Session Agra, Lucknow, Nodal 78 - Same as above - 2769 (1904 + 9 – 3 Meerut and Officer PRD- 865) June Mirzapur UP & DD - 2021 Panchayat of each division Session Amzamgarh, Nodal 62 - Same as above - 2207 (1394 + 10 – 4 Moradabad Officer PRD- 813) June andSaharanpur UP & DD - 2021 Panchayat of each division Total 18 divisions 765 15,406

The doubts of the participants regarding COVID-19 and vaccination, were also cleared by experts from UNICEF team & PRD during special question-and-answer session. Clarity on some existing myths and wrong information were also cleared during Q&A sessions, especially around vaccination for COVID-19. Around 765 questions of participants have been answered during the orientations eighteen divisions. COVID-19 IEC package (videos, audios, poster, pamphlets, flyers) developed by UNICEF & state were also shared with participants.

Impact of the orientations The impact of each of the orientations was assessed through a pre- and post- questionnaire of three questions. The number of questions were limited to three questions with multiple options. To answer the questions, the participants had to click/select any-one of the options given to them on the screen of their mobile/laptop / computer.

The questions and each of their options are as below: -

Question 1 - How you can protect yourself and others from COVID-19 a. Wearing Mask b. Maintaining physical distancing of 6 feet. c. HWWS for 40 second d. All of the above

The increase in percentage of the participants for opting the correct answers at the end of each session for all the three questions are as follows: -

Question 2 – What are the steps for registration for vaccination. a. Login to portal. b. Provide ID no. c. Select the date and visit the center as per date and time allotted. d. All of the above.

Question 3 - After vaccination should we practice CAB behaviours like HWWS, mask and social distance. a. True b. False

*We could not do the post-questions for Devipatan division

Quotes from Government officials

It is a unique initiative in a state that such a large team of Swachhagrahis will work on field at village level to curb The knowledge imparted to the spread of COVID-19 Swachhagrahis through these - Mission Director SBM(G) UP orientations will be a great aid in managing/containing COVID-19 in rural areas. Thanks to UNICEF for supporting at such a short period of time. - Nodal Officer PRD-UP Government Orders

Letter issued by Mission Director – PRD UP regarding online orientation of Swachhagrahis Agenda of the orientation

Photos of the orientation sessions

Poster of the orientation

Nodal Officer SBM(G) addressing the participants during the orientation Session by WASH Officer on CAB

Session by Health officer on COVID-19 & Vaccination

Social Media Coverage

Tweet by SBM(G) UP handle on orientation of Swachhagrahis

Tweet by DD- Panchayat Devipatan Mandal on orientation of Swachhagrahis

Post on official Facebook page of PRD Swachhta Abhiyan 2021 on orientation of Swachhagrahis Print Media coverage

Lucknow district

Gorakhpur district

Mirzapur district

Human interest stories - Impact of Swachhagrahi & FLW orientation

UNICEF in collaboration with PRD has oriented 15,406 on-ground foot-soldiers of the state on COVID-19 appropriate behaviours, its containment and management in rural areas beginning from house-to-house surveillance and adherence to the cremation protocols. The orientation campaign was launched on 18 May 2021, continued till 4 June 2021 and had ten orientation sessions covering all 18 Divisions of the state. The sessions were chaired by Nodal Officer PRD-UP and respective Divisional Deputy Director (Panchayat) and facilitated by UNICEF and PRD state team. The participants included Swachhagrahis, ASHA, ANM, school-teachers and district SBM(G) team. The orientation has effectively helped participants to enhance their knowledge on COVID-19 preventive measure and cleared their doubts and existing myths regarding vaccines of COVID- 19 prevention. A part of the increase in vaccination numbers might be due this wide-spread drive towards bringing in positivity and acceptance of the vaccine in the rural areas. The same is reflected in the increase in number of vaccination dose administered per day across the state since 22 May 2021.

Time period No. of vaccination doses administered 15 May – 21 May 12,19,652 Orientation 22 May - 28 May 15,96,294 campaign 29 May - 4 June 21,27,388 18 May to 4 June 5 June - 11 June 25,68,967 12 June - 18 June 25,41,366 19 June - 21 June 11,76,191 Total 1,12,29,858

Orientation campaign 18 May to 4 June

After receiving the orientations Swachhagrahis and other frontline workers have taken variousGraph initiatives showing in no. their of vaccinerespective doses district administereds to fight COVID in Uttar-19 Pradeshpandemic. during The detailsdifferent of theirtime initiatives are as follows: - period till 21 June 2020

*Source – https://dashboard.cowin.gov.in/

Human interest story 1 – Ms. Renu Rawat, Swachhagrahi, district Ms. Renu Rawat, a Swachhagrahi Nagla Umaid Gram Panchayat, block, (also Anganwadi worker and member of Nigrani Samitis) got herself and 85 other people vaccinated as a result of her persistent efforts of sensitizing and motivating community for vaccination. After clearing her myths and doubts by attending orientation organized by UNICEF in collaboration with PRD UP, Ms. Renu along with other Nigrani Samiti members is sensitizing community on COVID-19 appropriate behaviours and vaccination singing her self-written song “manav janam fir mile na mile, tu bacha le ise mere ladle. Mask, sabun se hath dhokar do gaj ki duri ban le mere ladle” (English translation – Save your human life which you got, by using a mask, washing hands with soap and maintaining 6 feet distance) while her door-to-door visit.

Media coverage of Ms. Renu Rawat work, Hathras district

Human interest story 2 – Mr. Arvind Singh Chauhan, district Mr. Arvind Singh Chauhan Swachhagrahi of Bahota Gram Panchayat, Ganjdudndbara block, Kashganj district, have successfully motivated 54 people to get vaccinated by setting an example of himself getting vaccinated first. As a member of Nigrani Samiti Mr. Arvind is working to raise awareness among community regarding COVID- 19 appropriate behaviour and vaccination and Mr. Arvind motivating people for also doing monitoring of COVID-19 response vaccination, activities at village level in order to curb COVID- 19 risk and transmission.

Human interest story 3 – Three Swachhagrahi & ADO-P, Ms. Soni Devi (Swachhagrahi of Khajuriha khurd Gram Panchayat and Khajuriya Kala Gram Panchayat). Mr. Harshvardhan Prajapati (Swachhagrahi of Chorha Gram Panchayat & Bariya Gram Panchayat) and Mr. Ramesh Sirvastav (Swachhgrahi of Gurehta Gram Panchayat & Khatwara Gram Panchayat) under the leadership of Assistant Development Officer- Panchayat Mr. Ramlal Mishra ji, unitedly worked to fight corona in Ram Nagar block of Chitrakoot district and successfully got 400 people of the block vaccinated after constantly sensitizing community on vaccination. As a team Swachhagrahi team accompanying they have made rigorous efforts to aware sanitation van, Chitrakoot district community on importance and benefits of vaccine, COVID-19 appropriate behaviours by playing related audio messages on loudspeaker and covering each street through e-riksha, handwashing demonstration to community, peer education, and using other IEC material. Apart from this they are also doing regular monitoring of CAB behaviours being adhere by community.

Human interest story 4 – Mr. Ghanshyam Verma, Swachhagrahi, district Mr. Ghanshyam Verma, Swachhagrahi of Parsa Paleih Gram Panchayat Gasdi block, Balrampur district. After realising the importance of vaccination – as the biggest tool to fight against COVID-19, immediately got himself and his family vaccinated. By leading as example, he motivated 50 people of his village and got them vaccinated. Apart from this he is also involved in various activities to curb the transmission of COVID-19 like cleanliness campaign, sanitization of public places, awareness generation regarding COVID-19 Mr. Ghanshayam motivating people appropriate behaviour (CAB) and vaccination, for vaccination, Balrampur district handwashing with soap demonstrations and monitoring of CAB behaviour in his village.

Human interest story 5 – Mr. Rupkishor Baghel, Gram Pradhan Kasganj district Mr. Rupkishor Baghel, Gram Pradhan Manpur Nagariya Gram Panchayat, block, Kasganj district after being sensitized from orientation conducted by UNICEF has made rigorous efforts to curb COVID-19 transmission and took up various activities including vaccination of 300 people in his gram panchayat. To remove hesitation and easy the vaccination process he organized three vaccination camps and successfully got 300 people vaccinated. In continuation to fight this pandemic awareness generation activities regarding vaccination and CAB through mobile van and other IEC, cleaning and sanitization of public place, handwashing demonstration etc. are being under his leadership and regular monitoring.

Mr. Rupkishore Baghel supporting vaccination camp in his village, Kasganj district

Human interest story 6 – Ms. Krishna Devi, Gram Pradhan Kasganj district Ms. Krishna Devi, Sarsait Gram Panchyat, block, Kasganj district has successfully busted the myths and fear regarding COVID-19 vaccine of 135 people and motivated them to get vaccinated by leveraging the support of frontline workers to conduct awareness generation activities in the village regarding same.

Ms. Krishna Devi sensitizing community on CAB and vaccination Kasganj district

Human interest story 7 – Mr. Anup Midhra, Swachhagrahi Swchhagrahi, Shrawasti district Since the outburst of COVID-19 pandemic Mr. Anup Midhra, Swachhagrahi of Bhagwanpur Gram Panchayats, Sirsiya block, Shrawasti district has played major role in the containment and management of COVID-19 in his village. He is continuously making community aware about the importance of vaccine, busted myths and fear about vaccine, helped people to register for vaccine and as a result he successfully managed to vaccinate 75 people from the village. As a member of Nigrani Samiti, along with other members he is teaching COVID-19 appropriate behaviour (CAB), monitoring CAB behaviour among community and supporting cleaning and sanitation activities.

Mr. Anup sanitizing public places, Shrawasti District

Human interest story 8 – Ms. Veena Devi, Swachhagrahi and Aganwadi worker Ms. Veena Devi, Swachhagrahi and Aganwadi worker of Nagroli Gram Panchayat, Gairibazar block, Deoria district after getting herself vaccinated she has motivated 46 people of the village to get vaccinated. She is also doing house-to-house surveillance, distributing medicine and other essential supplies and educating community on COVID-19 preventive measures like handwashing with soap for 40 sec., use of mask, maintaining 6 feet distancing.

Ms. Veena Devi educating women about CAB and

Vaccination during house visits, Deoria district Human interest story 9 – Ms. Shashi Bala Saroj, Swachhagrahi and Anganwadi worker, district Working towards addressing the gender gap in COVID-19 vaccination, Ms. Shashi Bala Saroj, Swachhagrahi and Anganwadi worker of Narayanpur Buuzurd Gram Panchayat, Puranpur block, has sensitized and vaccinated 138 people of his village out of which 80 are women. She aims to get whole community vaccinated foe which she is doing house-to-house visits to aware people and motivate them to get vaccinated. After realizing that there is Vaccination of a woman with support of Ms. huge gender gap in vaccination, she is Shahi Bala, Pilibhit district especially focussing on women, with peer education she motivates them to get vaccinated and to overcome their fear she helped them in vaccination process and also accompany them to the vaccination centre.

Human interest story 10 – Ms. Suman Devi, Swachhagrahi and Anganwadi worker, Ms. Suman Devi, Swachhagrahi and Anganwadi worker of Shekhupur Satakna Gram Panchayat, Vijaoli Block, Aligarh district, has taken various initiatives in her Gram Panchayat with objective to streamline vaccination process. She has done a survey in her village to map the number of people above 18 years of age to be vaccinated and listed 1255 people who are eligible for vaccination. She is continuously making people to understand that the vaccine is biggest tool to fight COVID-19 and motivated 70 people (out of 1255) to get vaccinated. She is also working on other COVID-19 management initiative under the leadership of Gram Pradhan. Ms. Suman Devi doing survey regarding vaccination, Aligarh district