Eight community radio stations situated at the coastal belt, areas have broadcasted altogether 300 hours of radio programs and consistent bulletin from 2nd May till now due to the emergency situation, addressing Cyclone Strom ‘FANI’.
From the morning of 2nd May, 8 community radio stations have received signal Number 7 from yesterday and have deployed all together 64 Community Broadcasters and volunteers to be responsible at a time.
These Eight Community Radio Stations are broadcasting in the coastal region are complying with Bangladesh Betar and Ministry of Information to contribute in protecting local people. All the broadcasters are abiding by instructions from the Bangladesh Betar Dhaka Center, on how to monitor the programs circulated and to take action to promote relevant disaster and emergency programs. There is focused guidance from the Ministry of Information to reach audience about disaster preparedness and disaster response with proper and timely information delivery.
With Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) of Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Community radio stations are broadcasting special bulletin updates in every 15 minutes from Bangladesh Meteorological Department related to the Cyclone “Fani”. The radio broadcasting will continue till the end of the emergency situation from the government.
Each Community radio stations have deployed 2 consistent broadcasters to be responsible to continuously communicate with Union and District Disaster Management Committee, and district and upazilla disaster control room, to have the latest update on weather situation due to the cyclone “Fani”. Along with that, they are providing the latest relative information on disaster preparedness and damage prevention from BBC Media Action, government and non-government institutions. Their offline collaboration is also ongoing with miking in the locality, collaboration with Red Crescent members, Scouts and Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) volunteers at local levels to help reduce loss and damage.
All the 8 community radio stations have had active representation in Information are shared through radio broadcasting and mobile phone with the radio listeners club, who are representing own locality. And broadcasting Public Service Announcement (PSA) and recorded interview with community, Local government representatives, disaster management committee, with disaster-related issues.
Information is being provided to the community regarding preparedness for the most vulnerable group of people and assets as well. The stations are broadcasting information about Cyclone shelter and other disaster response facilities of the locality.
From 2nd May, Thursday the coastal areas have received danger signal number 7, which describes the port is to experience severe weather through the storm with slight to the moderate intensity that is expected to cross over or near the port, with 62-88 KM/hr. wind speed. All vessels are about to take shelter immediately, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
Considering the importance of the situation the community radio stations situated in coastal zone namely Community Radio Nalta 99.2 (Kaliganj, Satkhira) and Community Radio Sundarban 98.8( Koyra, Khulna), Community Radio Lokobetar 99.2 (Barguna Sadar), Community Rural Radio: Krishi Radio 98.2(Amtali, Barguna), Community Radio Meghna 99.00 (Charfasion, Bhola Island), Community Radio Sagor Dwip 99.2 ( Hatia, Noakhali ), Community Radio Naf 99.2 (Tekhnaf, Cox’s Bazar) and Community Radio Sagargiri 99.2 (Sitakunda, Chittagong) and have their preparation to keep their stations on-air for 24 hours. Generator and fuels are reserved for alternative power supply if there is any disruption in the national power supply grid and hamper the broadcasting.
They are broadcasting special bulletin, PSA, recorded program repeatedly and draw the attention of all to prepare for facing cyclone storm ‘FANI’, so that community will be able to take initiative in advance and thus the damage can be reduced.
Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is maintaining full-time contact and coordination with the coastal community radio stations. The contact points for the coastal community radio stations are;
Sabbir Hossain, Senior Producer, (Present In charge) Community Radio Nalta, Kaliganj, Satkhira, Phone: +01789520702 , Email: neelsabbir@outlook.com
Mr. Palas Chandra Dhali, Station Manager, Community Radio Sundarban, Koyra Upazila,Khulna, Phone: +88 01852377995 E-Mail: mprs.info@gmail.com
Mr. Monir Hossain Kamal, Station Manager, Community Radio Lokobetar , Barguna Sadar, Phone: +88 01716 32 71 51 E-Mail: monirkamal@gmail.com
Md. Isa, Radio Focal person, Community Rural Radio Krishi Radio, Amtali Upazila, Barguna, Phone: +8801713 68 88 89 E-Mail: shamim.crr@gmail.com
Ms. Konika Rani, Assistant Station Manager, Community Radio Meghna, Charfasion Upazila,Bhola Island, Phone: +8801755970901 E-Mail: konika.radiomeghna@gmail.com
Ms, Papia Sultana, Station In-charge, Community Radio Sagor Dwip, Hatia Upazila, Noakhali, Phone:+88 01721176281 E-Mail: papia3563@gmail.com
Mr. Siddiqur Hossain, Station Manager In-charge, Community Radio Naf, (Tekhnaf Upazila, Cox’s Bazar) Phone: +88 01716 53 00 58, E-Mail: siddiktk.77@gmail.com
Mr. Sha Sultan Shamim, Station Manager, Community Radio Sagar Giri, Sitakunda Upazila, Chittagong, Phone: +88 01712 02 10 97 E-Mail: shamim_ypsa@yahoo.com
Ms, Jeanett Shapla Chowdury and Ms,Protiva Banerjee, Disaster Control Room In-charge of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), Dhaka.
Phone: +8801686496056, +8801814847780,
E-Mail: jeanett@bnnrc.net, protiva@bnnrc.net