Red Cross Red Crescent Health Actions to Respond to COVID-19 – 2021 update

National Societies’ and volunteers’ roles will change through the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic in their respective countries/communities, based on which public health, clinical and health systems activities are likely to be most impactful. National Societies must work with their public authorities so that both government and NS understand their respective mandates and the roles the NS technically and organisationally able to take on. NS must be prepared to change their operations over time as the outbreak progresses and appropriate outbreak response measures change. Below are some evidence-informed health activities that National Societies can support. These activities may be complemented by other auxiliary roles particularly to each National Society’s context. Throughout, it is important that National Societies identify their high-risk activities and plan to adapt them to ensure they maintain lifesaving humanitarian services throughout the epidemic.