Eight community radio & Community Visual Radio stations situated at the coastal belt areas have started broadcast about cyclone bulletin due to the emergency situation, addressing Cyclone Strom Amphan.
From the morning of 17th May 2020, 8 community radio & Community Visual Radio stations have received signal number 4 from today.
These eight Community Radio and two Community Visual Radio Stations are broadcasting radio programs in the coastal region are complying with Bangladesh Meteorological Department to contribute in protecting coastal people. All the broadcasters are abiding by instructions from the on Bangladesh Meteorological Department how to monitor the programs circulated and to take action to promote relevant disaster and emergency programs.
With Standing Orders on Disaster (SOD) of Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Community radio stations are broadcasting special bulletin updates from Bangladesh Meteorological Department related to the Cyclone Amphan. The radio broadcasting will continue till the end of the emergency situation.
In the meanwhile, BNNRC has formed a Monitoring Cell at Dhaka headed by Mark Manash Saha (email: mark @bnnrc.net, Cell: 01712 144180) for monitoring the situation, exploring information and support, and share it among the Community Radio stations in different locations.
Community radio stations have deployed broadcasters to be responsible to continuously communicate with Upazila and District Disaster Management Committee, and District and Upazila disaster control room, to have the latest update on weather situation due to the cyclone Amphan. Along with that, they are providing the latest related information on disaster preparedness and damage prevention.
All the coastal 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.
Considering the importance of the situation the community radio stations situated in coastal zone namely Community Radio Nalta 99.2 (Kaligonj, Satkhira), Community Radio Lokobetar 99.2 (Barguna Sadar), Community Rural Radio: Krishi Radio 98.2 (Amtoli, Barguna), Community Radio Meghna 99.00 (Charfashion, Bhola), Community Radio Sagor Dwip 99.2 (Hatiya, Noakhali), Community Radio Sagor Giri 99.2 (Sitakund, Chittagong) and Community Radio Naf (Teknaf, Cox’s bazar) Community Radio Jhenuk (Jhenaidah Sadar, Jhenaidah), and have their preparation to keep their stations.
Generator and fuels are reserved for alternative power supply if there is any disruption in the national power supply grid and hamper the broadcasting.
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;
Mr. Selim Sharier, Station Manager, Community Radio Nalta, Kaligonj, Satkhira, Phone: +01713 90 37 83, Email: neelsabbir@outlook.com
Mr. Monir Hossain Kamal, Station Manager, Community Radio Lokobetar, Barguna Sadar, Phone: +88 01716 32 71 51 E-Mail: monirkamal@gmail.com
Ms. Parvin Nahar, Station Manager, Radio Jhenuk, 111, Pabahati Road, Pabahati, Jhenaidah – 7300, Phone: 01731 922647, E-mail: radiojhenuk@gmail.com, nahar.jhe@gmail.com
Md. Isa, Radio Focal person, Community Rural Radio Krishi Radio, Amtoli Upazila, Barguna, Phone: +8801713 68 88 89 E-Mail: shamim.crr@gmail.com
Ms. Konika Rani, Assistant Station Manager, Community Radio Meghna, Charfashion Upazila, Bhola Island, Phone: +8801755970901 E-Mail: konika.radiomeghna@gmail.com
Ms. Papia Sultana, Station In-charge, Community Radio Sagor Dwip, Hatiya Upazila, Noakhali, Phone: +88 01721176281 E-Mail: papia3563@gmail.com
Mr. Sanjoy Chowdhury, Station Manager, Community Radio Sagor Giri, Sitakund Upazila, Chittagong, Phone: +8801825441666, E-Mail: Sanjoychowdhury68@yahoo.com
Mr. Siddiq Hossain, Station Manager In-charge, Community Radio Naf, (Teknaf Upazila, Cox’s Bazar) Phone: +88 01716 53 00 58, E-Mail: siddiktk.77@gmail.com
The role of Community Radio in Bangladesh was very praise-worthy during the past cyclone Mahasen, Roanu. Comen, Fani and Bulbul. Due to disconnection of electricity the Community Radio was the main source of information about the forecast of cyclone for coastal area of Bangladesh.