Building Resilience Through Communication: Lessons from Angola’s Health Emergency Response

Blog by CIPR International Committee member, Ọmọ́tọ́lá Akindípẹ̀. Ọmọ́tọ́lá is an external relations professional in the UN system, Omotola has more than 10 years of experience in interagency coordination and communications. Currently, he leads the External Relations team for WHO in Angola with a focus on partnerships, reporting, donor relations and communications. Omotola is trilingual (English, Portuguese, and German) and has vast international experience having worked in several European and African countries.

When crisis strikes, the ability to communicate clearly and responsibly can be as important as medical supplies or infrastructure. Angola’s recent launch of a Health Communication Network provides an example of how communicators can come together to strengthen public health and offers lessons for practitioners worldwide.

In August 2025, Angola hosted a national training session that brought together over 100 journalists and communicators from across 13 provinces. The initiative, supported by government ministries and international partners, such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF, was designed to prepare the media to play a more proactive role in times of crisis, from epidemic outbreaks to the growing health impacts of climate change.

The training addressed one of the most pressing challenges for communicators: misinformation. In health emergencies, false or misleading narratives can spread faster than the outbreak itself. By giving journalists tools to verify sources, adapt narratives to local realities, and deliver information that builds trust, Angola is investing in the media as a frontline ally in public health.

The creation of the Health Communication Network allows the country to lay the foundations for long-term resilience. By strengthening collaboration between media outlets, local authorities, and international organisations, the network demonstrates how communication can bridge gaps, promote transparency, and ultimately save lives.

For communication professionals, there are several insights worth noting:

• Collaboration is key. Whether in health, corporate, or political crises, partnerships between communicators, institutions, and communities are essential for credibility and reach.

• Local adaptation matters. Global messages only work if they are tailored to the cultural, linguistic, and social realities of their audiences.

• Investment in skills pays off. Training journalists and communicators is not nice to have but a necessity to ensure accurate, timely, and life-saving communication.

As communicators, we are reminded that our work does not stop at transmitting messages. It is about shaping understanding, building trust, and enabling action in the most difficult circumstances. The creation of Angola’s Health Communication Network is a reminder that in times of crisis, communication is part of the response.