Global Issues

When Information Saves Lives

Engaging Local Media in Humanitarian Crises

CASE STUDY: Kashmir Earthquake—Pakistan

Mark Edwards/Still Pictures/Internews

"Jazba helped end confusion about seismic reports in the red zone areas and stopped rumors about mass evacuation. Now people have enough information and have started rebuilding their homes." — Gul Pervez, Thakot Village, Battagram, about Internews’ lifeline radio program, Jazba-e-Tameer (The Desire to Rebuild)

THE NEED

On October 8, 2005, a massive earthquake laid waste to large areas of Pakistan-administered Kashmir and the North West Frontier Province. The quake killed some 80,000 people, including 30,000 children in classrooms, and left an estimated 3.4 million homeless. Landslides made the remote, mountainous regions of the quake nearly impassable.

THE RESPONSE

Within hours of the earthquake, Internews staff in Islamabad began an assessment of how local media had been affected. They soon began training a team of Pakistani journalists and helping them to produce a syndicated program, Jazba-e-Tameer (Desire to Rebuild) with vital information on how to cope with the disaster and rebuild their lives. Internews successfully advocated for emergency broadcast licenses for the earthquake-ravaged areas and helped build seven humanitarian information radio stations to reach populations out of reach of existing stations.

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