Short communication: strengthening risk communication and community engagement for the containment of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 outbreak

Objectives: The objective of the article is to understand the need and importance of risk communication and community engagement in containing the COVID-19 outbreak. Introduction: The Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, which has been designated as a public health emer- gency of international concern has created a sense of fear and apprehension among the community across the world. Methods: Acknowledging all these alarming facts, we cannot deny that we have to intensify our efforts and all the national policy makers should recognize the infection as of utmost public health priority and be prepared to respond to the potential outbreak within their own boundaries. Results: Based on the earlier outbreaks of the infectious diseases in the current decades, risk communication and communi- ty engagement have been identified as one of the crucial and integral elements of a successful response to the public health emergencies. Conclusion: In conclusion, risk communication and community engagement are an essential and challenging aspects of the containment of the COVID-19 outbreak and thus we have to try our best to establish a better system to ensure that risk communication is well in place and utilized effectively to engage the community. Keywords: COVID-19 outbreak; public health emergency of international concern; risk communication; community engagement; World Health Organization.