International News Network

UNHCR completes distribution of 10,000 radio sets in quake zone

August 30, 2006

ISLAMABAD: The UN refugee agency has completed the distribution of 10,000 multi-power radio sets in the earthquake hit areas of Pakistan administered Kashmir and the North West Frontier Province to help keep quake survivors informed of issues affecting them.

The radio sets, a donation by media development NGO Internews, are run on dynamo, solar, battery and direct electric current power. They feature AM, FM and shortwave bands with a flash light, thermometer, siren, storage compartment and a compass.

"The multi-power radio set distribution is part of UNHCR and its partners’ endeavors to maximize the information outreach to the earthquake affected population of Pakistan," said Kilian Kleinschmidt, UNHCR’s Senior Emergency Coordinator in Islamabad. "We know that timely and factual information in the post-relief phase is a great help to the millions of the earthquake affected people struggling hard to start a new life."

UNHCR is also co-sponsoring a radio show called "Himmat Jawan Hai" with the Pakistan government’s Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) and Radio Power FM99 from Islamabad, Abottabad, Muzaffarabad and Bagh meant for the information of earthquake affected people. The daily 30-minute show (90-minute on Sundays) provides information on the rehabilitation process and has interviews with officials and the affected population in the camps and return areas.

Listeners in NWFP and Islamabad can tune in at 17:00 hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with rebroadcasts at 10:00 hours the following day. Those in Bagh can hear the program at 19:00 hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with rebroadcasts at 10:00 hours the following day. In Muzaffarabad listeners can tune in at 18:00 hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with rebroadcasts at 10:00 hours the following day.

"The UNHCR-Internews partnership for the distribution of the multi-power radio sets in the quake zone intends to bridge the information gap created by the October 8, 2005 earthquake that shattered millions of lives," said Adnan Rehmat, Internews Country Director. "With other belongings, people also lost their tools of information; radio and TV sets. The 10,000 radio sets will help dramatically improve information access."

Out of the 10,000 sets, affectees in camps and non-camp areas of Pakistan administered Kashmir received 6,500 radios (5,500 in Muzaffarabad areas, 1,000 in Bagh), while 3,500 were distributed among in the North West Frontier Province’s earthquake-hit zones.