The Pink Panther, a community group in Gaza City has created a 'coronavirus character' in a bid to spread awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Footage from Monday (April 5) shows the family-friendly mascot roaming the Metro Market and Al-Shati Refugee Camp distributing guidance on how to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Awni Al-Sawafiri, Director of the Pink Panther Band said: "In light of the presence of a global epidemic that is affecting all the world and affecting children, I came up with the idea to do shapes in the form of the virus.

"I chose this colour green for my doll because it is the closest colour to the virus. In order to communicate the idea in a broader way, colour is distinctive to reach the child."

The Gaza Strip, one of the world's most densely populated areas, confirmed their first coronavirus cases on March 22.

A personal initiative in which the team, the Pink Tiger, in Gaza City, made dolls designed as an symbol of Corona-virus, where they roamed around Metro mall to increase the awareness of children and citizens. The team distributed guidances of how to prevent Coronavirus, then they went to the AlShate' camp in west of Gaza City and they moved in its narrow streets and shaked hands with children to reduce the fear and stress from this virus.

Interview / Awni Al-Sawafiri / Director of the Pink Panther Band
Video time 03:54-04:16
In light of the presence of a global epidemic that affected all the world and affected children, I came up with the idea to do shapes in the form of the Corona virus in a special way with the virus, and I roamed the street and gave awareness and guidance on how to deal with this malignant disease.
Video time 04:16-04:43
I chose this color for my doll because it is the closest color to the virus. In order to communicate the idea in a broader way and color, it is distinctive for the idea to reach the child and to accept the child.