First Response Radio Network members, First Response Indonesia have been working in central Aceh , following the earthquake of 2nd July 2013. As the Emergency Phase has now ended, the team have returned to Jakarta.
Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) – the National Radio Service of Indonesia) technicians have now arrived in the area to bring the transmitter up to full power to enable it to be heard throughout the affected area. Before leaving, First Response Indonesia (FRI) signed an agreement with RRI Takengon which is the nearest branch of the National Radio Service and which serves the affected area. This agreement means that FRI will produce 3 x 30 minute radio programmes per week to be broadcast by RRI on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, on 93 FM, for the next 10 weeks. These broadcasts will cover the key issues identified by the UN, OCHA and UNICEF – psychosocial counselling, how to “rebuild better” and with particular focus on vulnerable groups – the elderly, the disabled, women and children. In addition, FRI will produce short public service announcements to be broadcast throughout the day.
0 Comments
FRR trainers from YASKI provided 8 days of training in Manado, Indonesia. The team set a new INDONESIAN record setting up the field trial station in 30 minutes. The training was held near Lokon Volcano which was active just a few weeks ago and had a major eruption a few years ago.
First Response Radio (FRR) India began emergency broadcasts within 72 hours of the onset of flash floods and landslides in the Northern state of Uttarakhand in the Himalayas. According to Uttrakhand Chief Minister the floods were a “Himalayan Tsunami”. The special broadcasts began going out on June 19th via SW radio for 30 minutes a day towards the affected region to provide critical information to those affected by the flooding including the many pilgrims who are not from that state. Even before full assessments were available, FRR began preparing broadcasts from Delhi based on the news, government and NGO information. In the early days of the special broadcasts the floods were still increasing and programs warned listeners of the increased danger of floods. On June 21st FRR India deployed a team of 4 people into Uttarakhand state. Most of the team members had already completed FRR training in 2011 where they learned how to use the suitcase studio to produce emergency radio programs. Once in the affected area they began interviewing the affected community, Government and NGOs. Every day they produce a 30 min program of useful information using the suitcase and upload the programs over the (slow) internet for broadcast that night.
hen FRR INTL coordinator, Mike Adams called Firoz he asked “What was the most important information that the programs were providing for those affected by the flash floods?” Firoz replied: “On our emergency radio programs we are passing the information about rescue operations, health tips, weather information and information about relief camps and health camps.” Broadcasts can be heard on Shortwave Radio (SW) on 9500 KHz on the 31 Meter Band from 8:00 to 8:30pm local time, nightly. (1430 UTC) The FRR Nepal team have now left Nepal, having helped the radio station in Dhunche get back on the air and trained local staff to develop programming to aid in the disaster recovery process.Mike Adams felt the second quake in Delhi airport, a few hours after he left Kathmandu. All the rest of the team reported in safe, and have now returned to their home countries. FRR anticipates returning to Nepal within the year if possible, to do further training with those working with disaster affected communities.
The work of FRR to restore Radio Rasuwa in North Central Nepal has been featured in a few National newspapers. Sorry if your Nepali is a bit rusty! archive.nagariknews.com/feature-article/story/37665.html THE FRR team arrived in Dunche on Wednesday, and Radio Rasuwa was up and running an hour later, with live and interactive programming from a table outside the station – which caused lots of community interest. Programming began with updates from Govt officials and any news from the field from NGO’s, and asking the affected population what kind of information they wanted the most. As it becomes available advice on water, shelter, food and access to healthcare will be included.
The FRR South Asia team has met, coordinated and assessed where to deploy. Yesterday it was agreed that there is great need in the northern district of Rasuwa where reports say all radio is off the air. They tested the kit, stocked and tuned 140 radios, stocked up with food and supplies and got ready for an early start on Wed 5th May. Three of the the FIRST Response Radio team, including Mike Adams, arrived in Nepal on Saturday 2nd May, and have been well received. They have had meetings with the ‘Communicating with Communities’ cluster group, and other organisations, and are assessing where the greatest needs are. 2 areas in the Gorkha district have been identified – one reachable by car, one by 4×4. A third area is only accessible by helicopter. It is thought that about a 1/3 of the radio stations are off air, and some are being operated from tents. They have a ‘studio in a suitcase’ kit, but training may be more necessary than equipment.
After reviewing assessments from from UN OCHA and CDAC members FRR is sending 3-4 members to help provide Communications with Communities (CwC). INTL Coordinator for FRR, Mike Adams will arrive in Nepal on Saturday. Two members of FRR India will join him with their suitcase radio kit on the same day. FRR Pakistan coordinator, Hazeen Latif joins the team as well. This team has responded to 10 disasters between them and brings a decade of experience in CwC work. They will be supporting a number of radio partners already working in Nepal.
|
Categories
All
|