Mass gatherings are highly visible, unique events attended by a sufficient number of people to potentially strain the public health resources of a community, state, or nation.
Mass gatherings present complex planning and preparedness challenges for the public health infrastructure. Given that mass gatherings have become increasingly international in attendance, natural, accidental, and deliberate risks to health security have become increasingly important elements to address during the planning of health measures.
Iraq hosts some of the largest Muharram and Arbaeen gatherings globally, which are attended by large cohorts of pilgrims especially from neighboring countries (Bahrain, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Pakistan).
Hosting mass gathering events provides a unique opportunity to strengthen the implementation of Risk communication and community engagement which is one of the main pillars of the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005), considering that these are events with potential for international public health consequences, as well as opportunity to increase relevant national public health capacities required under the IHR (2005).
Ensuring the safety and health of the participants in this event is one of the most important parameters in successful mass gathering management. In this type of ceremony, which participants attend from different nations, regions, and cultures, the exposure, occurrence, and spread of infectious diseases is very. People attending the Arbaeen event may be threatened by communicable diseases such as water & food-borne diseases, injuries, heatwaves, in addition, non-communicable diseases and accidents.
Public health campaigns can be dry and hard to understand. Covering complex issues and evidence, and packaging it for a broad audience, they must often strike a near-impossible balance of being catchy and informative at the same time. Engaging youth as active participants in health awareness and support initiatives can be an effective strategy to promote preventive behaviors and ensure the well-being of the event participants.
To address these issues in Iraq, the WHO, UNDP, UNV, and UNFPA are planning to organize a health awareness campaign with IRCS and MoH.

We are seeking support from Online Volunteers who are proficient in using social media (FB, Instagram, twitter, TikTok, ext.).
The Volunteers will support the project team in:
o Highlight the impact of climate change on food security and safety.
o Share tips on maintaining food hygiene and safety during mass gatherings.
The volunteer will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the project team, collaborating with other online volunteers if necessary. The project team will provide the needed information and materials that to be used on social media.

The primary responsibilities of the Online Volunteers include:
• Raise awareness about diseases worsened by climate change, such as vector-borne and water-borne illnesses.
• Provide pre-made awareness materials to volunteers through the supervision team, who will then share them on their own social media platforms.
• Encourage and promote the sharing of these materials.

1- Proficiency in using social media platforms.
2- Attention to Detail.
3- Communication Skills: Good communication skills to effectively collaborate with the project team and other
4- Experience with Online Collaboration: Familiarity with online collaboration tools and the ability to work effectively in a remote team environment.
5- Commitment and Reliability: Demonstrated commitment to volunteering and the ability to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality work.