Community mobilization during epidemic emergencies: Insights from Kerala

Abstract

The present paper describes the strategy to mitigate and control epidemic contingencies in the backdrop of Kerala’s Covid-19 containment plan. I have purposefully selected Kerala, the southernmost state of India, because of its globally acclaimed experience in efficiently managing the cases of coronavirus that were reported. Even tackling the Nipah and Zika virus cases in the pasts, makes it an exemplary unit of study. Moreover, the past experience of the state points to the fact that the containment strategy adopted is the result of an evolved practical approach. I came across certain innovative strategies implicating community mobilization like community kitchens, social surveillance, large scale production of face masks etc. by utilizing the hidden productive capacity of communities that extended from women self-help groups, youth clubs and even prison inmates. Moreover, the state’s controlling and containing measures were mentioned by international media and agencies like the BBC and the World Health Organization (WHO).