Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) has set up a Disaster Risk Reduction costal broadcasting control room to monitor the forecasted cyclone “YAAS” and support to the coastal community radio broadcasters about YAAS broadcasting,

The phone number of the control room is 01712 144180.  BNNRC has also formed a Monitoring Cell at Dhaka headed by Mark Manash Saha, mark@bnnrc.net   to monitor the situation, explore information and provide necessary support to the Community Radio stations facing the cyclone Yaas in the coastal areas.

Eight community radio including 2 Community Visual Radio stations situated at the coastal belts have started broadcasting radio programs- news and community services announcement to make the community aware on the emergency situation, addressing the Cyclone Strom “Yaas”.

Stations have deployed all together 100 Community broadcasters and volunteers to address the disaster related programs.

The programs are developing by following the instructions Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) to contribute to protect coastal people. All the broadcasters are abiding by instructions from the on BMD 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 radios are broadcasting special bulletin updates in every one hour provided by BMD related to the Cyclone Yaas. The radios will continue its broadcasting till to the end of this emergency situation.

Community radio stations have already formed a team by deploying 2 broadcasters to be responsible to communicate with Upazila and District Disaster Management Committee, and District and Upazila disaster control room, to have updates on weather situation caused by cyclone Yaas. Since this morning, they have been disseminating update information and messages on disaster preparedness for preventing damages.

All the coastal radios have had active role in sharing information through radio and mobile phone with the radio listeners club, who are representing their own locality. The radios are broadcasting Community Service Announcement (CSA) and interviews of the community people, Local government officials, public representatives, disaster management committee on disaster-related issues.

In the meanwhile, considering the importance of the situation the following community radios 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 Dwip (Sandwip, Chattogram), Community Radio Sagor Giri 99.2 (Sitakunda, Chattogram) and Community Radio Voirob (Bagerhat, Sadar, Bagerhat) have taken preparation to keep their stations on-air for 24 hours.

Ms. Papia Sultana, Station Manager, Community Radio Sagor Dwip, shared that It is a cloudy day, there is no rain and or stormy wind. She added that after signal # 3 Sagor Dwip will start broadcasting 7/24 hours programs but still the situation is normal. So Sagor Dwip has been is broadcasting some CSAs and dramas to make the community aware.

Mr. Selim Shahrier, Station Manager, Radio Nalta shared, “it is still signal # 2, and the time for preparation”. Radio Nalta is ready to meet the disaster. The station has canceled any type of leave except in case of emergencies. Broadcasters and volunteers are working by shifting. After signal number # 3, the station will continue broadcast 24 hours program.

Mr. Monir Kamal, Station Manager, Community Radio Lokobetar, “Last night there was some stormy situation with medium rainfall. But now it is sunny day. The station is ready to broadcast 7/24 hours program if it is needed. 500 volunteers round the broadcast areas are also read to share updates about the “Yaas”. Lokobetar has been broadcasting Community Service Announcement (CSA) and some recorded awareness program since last night.

Radios have already been completed the servicing of the generator, collected and stored sufficient fuel for alternative power supply to continue broadcasting if there is any disruption in the national power supply grid.

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) is maintaining 7/24 contact and coordination with the coastal community radio stations.

The contact persons of the coastal community radio stations are;

Mr. Selim Sharier, Station Manager, Community Radio Nalta, Kaligonj, Satkhira, Phone: +01713 90 37 83, Email: selimsharier@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. Shamim Mridha, Producer, Community Radio Krishi, Amtoli Upazila, Barguna, Phone: Cell: 01713688889, email: mridhashamim@gmail.com

Ms. Nishi Begum, Station in-Charge, Community Radio Meghna, Charfashion Upazila, Bhola Island, Phone: 01780324693, 017038133 33; E-Mail: nishi.radiomeghna@gmail.com.

Ms. Papia Sultana, Station In-charge, Community Radio Sagor Dwip, Hatiya Upazila, Noakhali, Phone: +88 01721176281 E-Mail: papia3563@gmail.com.

Md. Bokhtear Hossain, Station in-Charge, Radio Dwip, Sandwip, Chattogram, Cell:01876293083, E-Mail: bokhtear.pu22@gmail.com.

Md. Tufayelur Rahman, Asst. Producer, Community Radio Sagor Giri, Sitakunda Upazila, Chittagong, Cell: 01812678921, Email: tufayelurrahman21@gmail.com.

Ms. Esrat Jahan, Station Manager, Radio Voirob, Bagerhat Sadar, Bagerhat Cell: 01716661961 Email: esratdbc@gmail.com.