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PVC: a programme dedicated to wellbeing

On the sidelines of the 6th Forum of National Volunteer Agencies in the ECOWAS region, the Director of the ECOWAS Centre for Youth and Sports Development launched a guide to best practice highlighting the contribution of volunteers in the fight against epidemics in West Africa. This guide presents practices based on a compilation of successful experiences and lessons learnt in the fight against COVID-19 by volunteer organisations within the ECOWAS region. These experiences and lessons are now recommended as models that can inspire voluntary organisations in the fight against epidemics in general. It covers two main aspects: (1) the creation of an environment conducive to optimising volunteering and the actions of volunteers in the fight against epidemics; and (2) the contribution of volunteering and volunteers to the management of epidemics.Two types of volunteers have been or are currently involved in the fight against epidemics in West Africa. Firstly, there are field volunteers. These are occasional, short-term, medium-term and long-term volunteers. They may or may not be specialists. Online volunteers can be an effective way of supporting the fight against epidemics, as they can work remotely using new information and communication technologies. #ecowasvolunteers