Outreach and dissemination of public information to immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated the need for public authorities to be prepared for situations where there is a need for communicating to immigrant communities. Effective communication may be achieved in collaboration with civil society and with a longer-term strategy that takes into account the particular needs of the target groups. Civil society organisations and resource persons can provide public authorities with knowledge and understanding of immigrants and with feedback directly transferred from the target group. This is a prerequisite for reaching immigrants with public information and for launching effective communication content. To reach a diverse group of immigrants, then, public organisations need to work continuously to develop strategy, and establish and maintain close relationships with civil society, so they can act when communication needs arise.