#AfricaTogether, the virtual concert promoted by Red Cross, Red Crescent and Facebook to unite Africa against COVID-19
On 4th and 5th, June 2020 Facebook launched the virtual concert #AfricaTogether promoted by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent. The aim is to encourage the vigilance against COVID-19 throughout Africa.
#AfricaTogether for the struggle against COVID-19, the call by Red Cross and Red Crescent
The live concert will be held on Facebook and monitored by the Red Cross and Red Crescent. It will see the participation of many African artists, like Aramide, Ayo, Femi Kuti, Ferre Gola, Salatiel, Serge Beynaud, Patoranking, Youssou N’dour and many others. At the end of the article, you will find the link to the official Facebook page.
Africa reported more than 100,000 COVID-19 cases confirmed and this concert is a very good sign to push anyone to go on and behave correctly for everyone’s sake. #AfricaTogether will combine music and comedy performances with information from COVID-19 first responders and fact-checkers from across Africa.
In particular, the live concert will provide a digital awareness campaign with prevention messages developed with IFRC health experts and targeting simultaneously Facebook users in 48 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.
#AfricaTogether: a single voice will raise from Africa
#AfricaTogether can be followed on Facebook in two languages: in English on the 4th of June at 6 pm (WAT Time Zone) and in French on the 5th of June at the same hour. In order to watch the streaming you just need to check on the Facebook pages of the Red Cross and Red Crescent or on the official #AfricaTogether page (link below).
Mamadou Sow, a long-serving member of the IFRC Movement commented that COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis. It doesn’t know borders, ethnicities, or religions. He also adds, “African communities so far have responded quickly, but the risk remains very real. If we all do our part, we will beat Covid-19. Music is a powerful uniting force and we hope that the #AfricaTogether festival will bring renewed hope and action against this dangerous disease.”
Red Cross, Red Crescent and Facebook in Africa: a strong partnership against COVID-19
It is not the first time that Facebook and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement collaborate. They are both contributing to the fight against COVID-19 across the continent with, for example, the work with Sub-Saharan Governments, the partnership with health agencies and NGOs who are actively using Facebook platforms to share accurate information about the situation and launching coronavirus Information.
The IFRC Movement is on the frontlines to fight against coronavirus, thanks to a network of more than 1.5 million volunteers and staff across the continent. Through information campaigns, the supply of soap, access to clean water, and the support of health care facilities, the efforts of this strong association are becoming efficient. And to do this, the support of a corporation like Facebook is essential. Communication is the key.
