Radio broadcasts hope as floods rage

 Radio broadcasts hope as floods rage on Monday 16th August, 2010

As the news of the heavy flooding in Pakistan unfolded, Feba Pakistan staff and their partners put together an action plan for response during the crisis, despite disrupted internet access and downed phone lines. A Feba staff member travelled to Kashmir to gather fresh programme material, including an interview with the director of State Disaster Management Authority, talks with people in the area about their plight in the flood as well as receiving SMS messages from listeners expressing their concern and grief for victims of the flooding.

Last week Feba staff journeyed to flood-affected Charsadda, near Peshawar, for radio distribution and to assist the production team there with interviewing aid workers and people impacted by the floods.

Radio saves lives

Distributing radios to people who have lost everything may seem inappropriate - they can't slake a thirst or provide warmth and shelter – but they can give access to critical, life-saving information. When confusion, anger and fear are overwhelming, radio broadcasts give consistent news and advice, informing people of where to go for aid and the services available to them, reuniting them with friends and family and reducing the spread of disease. Working together with our partners, Feba is producing programme content to address flood-related issues in the national language of Urdu, as well as Sindhi and Siraiki which are spoken in the flood-affected areas.

Not only are we broadcasting these programmes as part of our established schedule, but we are also supplying material to other broadcasting outlets to include in their schedules as well. We are hoping to repeat programmes at different times during the day to give people a greater opportunity of hearing critical information and advice.

Sammy, Director of Feba Pakistan, sent this message to his partners who supply programmes: "Pakistan is facing the worst flood catastrophe in history. Feba cannot continue doing normal programming. We need to tell our listeners that we are a part of this society. So I urge you to do whatever you can. Please suspend your normal programming and produce special programmes responding to the present disaster."

Feba’s long service in Pakistan

We have been broadcasting to Pakistan since 1974 and currently have 8 languages on air. As followers of Jesus, we seek to serve the communities and people of Pakistan by addressing their needs and issues in culturally appropriate ways through our radio broadcasts.

Feba saw the devastation caused by the 2005 earthquake, and the confusion and distress that followed. In response, we distributed radios and developed a programme especially for the victims of that disaster which is still on air helping them through the long rehabilitation process. We also provided specialist radio training for aid organisations working in the disaster zone.

We will keep you informed of the latest news and developments. Donations can be made online at www.feba.org.uk/pakistan.

Prayer Points

• Pray for the distribution of clean water and food, and pray against the spread of disease – it is the very old and the very young that are most at risk.
• Pray for the provision of shelter as the monsoon season continues into September, then gives way in October to clear skies and cooler nights.
• Pray for Feba’s radio programmes – initially responding to disaster, and subsequently assisting with information for reconstruction and rehabilitation.