Table 3.

Participant suggestions for better communication of COVID-19 messages to people of refugee backgrounds

• Use language/dialects preferred by communities

• Use simple and clear messages

• Provide regular updates

• Present message visually, or by audio-link

• Identify message as being from an official source

• Harness social media

• Use locations familiar to refugee communities to deliver face-to-face education (e.g., places of worship, non-government organisation hubs)

• Deliver messages through trusted and familiar people

• Be mindful of issues such as self-confidence and stress/trauma

• Collaborate with influential members and service providers

• Recognise diversity and avoid generalisation

• Nurture community relationships with mutual respect

• Enable mutual learning and community empowerment by continuing grass-roots research