In an initiative to share accurate information, World Health Organization (WHO) has recently launched a dedicated messaging services in Arabic, English, French and Spanish with partners WhatsApp and Facebook and Rakuten Viber and keep people safe from COVID-19.
This easy-to-use messaging service has the potential to reach billions of people and enables WHO to get information directly into the hands of the people who need it, WHO said in its newsletter released yesterday.
From government leaders to health workers and family and friends, this messaging service provides the latest news and information on coronavirus including details on symptoms and how people can protect themselves and others. It also provides the latest situation reports and numbers in real-time to help government decision-makers protect the health of their populations.
The WhatsApp service can be accessed by a link that opens a conversation on WhatsApp. Users can simply type “hi”, “hola”, “salut”, “ciao” or “marhaba” (in Arabic letters) to activate the conversation, prompting a menu of options that can help answer their questions about COVID-19.
For Arabic send “marhaba” (in Arabic letters) to +41 22 501 70 23 on WhatsApp wa.me /41225017023?text=marhaba, for messages in English send “hi” to +41 79 893 18 92 on WhatsApp wa.me/41798931892?text=hi and for French Send “salut” to +41 22 501 72 98 on WhatsApp wa.me/41225017298?text=salut.
The partnership with Rakuten Viber gives WHO the potential to reach people in their local language directly through their mobile phones.
“WHO’s aim is to reach as many people as possible with reliable health information through innovative digital technology. Information is powerful and can help save lives during this pandemic,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO.
Once subscribed to the WHO Viber chatbot, users will receive notifications with the latest news and information directly from WHO. Users can also learn how to protect themselves and test their knowledge on coronavirus through an interactive quiz that helps bust myths. Another goal of the partnership is to fight misinformation. The chatbot is freely available and launches today in English, Russian and Arabic with more than 20 languages to be added. Can join the WHO Viber service, through https://vb.me/82e535
