Role of Community Radio in Disaster Management
Description
Watch video on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cn1O5YXI7Y
Introduction
India is a hazard-prone country and the impacts of climate change are only exacerbating this complexity. Disasters are increasingly unpredictable; intensities are growing and ‘unprecedented’ events have become the new norm.
The Government of India has taken significant steps to advance disaster risk management (DRM) and improve climate resilience.
Community Radio can also play a very important role in the community during a disaster by providing them information on the preventive methods to be taken during a disaster. They could also contribute in building capacities of the community for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Meaning of Community Radio
Community radio is a type of radio service that caters to the interests of a certain area, broadcasting content that is popular to a local audience but which may often be overlooked by commercial or mass-media broadcasters.
It provides an opportunity to the community to speak about issues concerning their lives.
Thus, hereby discussing the role of Community Radio disaster risk reduction, especially in pre-disaster preparedness and mitigation through awareness raising that targets different community groups.
| Facts related to Community Radio · In December 2002, the Government released a policy that allowed well established educational institutions to set up Community Radio Stations. · In order to promote development and social change, the Government in November 2006 implemented new Community Radio Guidelines permitting non-profit organizations to own and operate community radio stations. It opened doors for community radio as a platform for development, social change, and voice of the community in concern. At present, 276 functional Community Radio Stations are operating in India. Out of these 276 stations, 129 are run by educational institutions, 132 by community-based organisations, and 15 by Krishi Vigyan Kendra/State Agriculture Institutions. |
Role of Community radio
· Speaking to communities in local languages using terms and phrases that are easily and locally understood;
· Providing two-way interactive social learning through listening clubs, call-in shows, and other forms of exchange;
· Communicating local knowledge, needs, and demands beyond the community to inform policy, research, and other communities;
· Providing the only media available to communities that have little or no access to other methods of conveying information and knowledge;
· Bringing together people from frequently disconnected stakeholder groups such as livelihoods, community leaders, organizations, and governance.
Role of Community Radio in Disaster Management
The first people to respond to disasters are those living in the local community. They are the first to start rescue and relief operations. The government, therefore, focus on community-based disaster preparedness, which assists communities to reduce their vulnerability to disasters and strengthen their capacities to resist them. Community radio is one of the crucial means of communication.
® In the pre-disaster phase:
· It can disseminate the messages of warning signals, indigenous coping mechanisms i.e.behavior of animal, local weather situations, on first aid, emergency food, evacuation, gathering in cyclone shelter in particular space, and sanitation practice and facilities during an emergency and before or afterward. Moreover, community radio can reflect on a plan for emergency responses.
® During the disaster phase:
· It can standby and function in warning dissemination in local language/accents.
· Locals can call in and provide first-hand information regarding the ongoings in the affected areas.
® In the post-disaster phase:
· It can broadcast programs and messages on the management of deaths and disposal of wastage, restoration of safe water supply and basic sanitation, promotion of alternative livelihood options, appropriate technology for restoration of communications, start immediate need assessment through pre-selected volunteers, organize and coordinate relief operations by mobilizing local resources, and prioritize primary health care services.
· Community radio provides an indigenous solution to a problem.
Conclusion
Community radio has the power to organize and provide information and connect these communities to the much-needed aid and relief. Also since the content is in the local dialect it can help curb miscommunication and misinformation in times of panic.
However,for the effective utilization of community radio in disaster management, it is essential that the staff members should be trained in a specific and well-defined manner on disaster prevention, mitigation, and managementcommunication.
