Why Community radio ?

In Jun 2013, People's Power Collective {PPC} was in the middle of its just initiated Community Radio training and field work in Uttarakhand when the June 2013 Mandakini River floods devastated the region. With a total communication breakdown the single most important gap, collectively felt was the lack of timely, reliable and relevant information in the local language of Garhwali or in Hindi. Circumstances were changing by the minute and without connectivity and information flow of any sort, people were frustrated, helpless and significant efforts in relief and rescue, wasted.

"Community Radio has a powerful role to play in disaster management and People's Power Collective {PPC} is dedicated to supporting communities in the far flung disaster prone regions of the vulnerable hill state of Uttarakhand, to be more resilient and prepared to face their reality"

Disaster management in itself is a continuous and on-going process. It happens all year round and not only when disasters strike. Community radio is an all year round, everyday medium, making it one of the perfect tools for community engagement and participation based disaster management. People's Power Collective is resolute in its commitment to the people of Uttarakhand and its belief in the power of community radio as an agent of change. With our experience, we have learnt that Community Radio acts as a much needed community based solution for disaster preparedness and early warning, lessening vulnerability of people & property, wise management of the environment and building community resilience. Its cost-effectiveness, accessibility, versatility and inclusiveness creates a perfect ecosystem to nurture community awareness and engage with the issue holistically, and on a daily basis, so as to build community led disaster preparedness and resilience.

How Community radio ?

In Jun 2013, People's Resilience is an approach to disaster risk management that considers the whole cycle and brings new components to the table, including rights awareness and access to basic services, building and strengthening community institutions, vulnerability and risk analysis, building and promoting effective leadership for creating first line of community led response to disasters. Community Radio is one of the best tools that could facilitate all three stages of disaster management and the SENDAI Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, is here to back our claims along with Uttarakhand’s State Disaster Management Policy. So what role does a community radio play in the disaster management cycle?

Pre-Disaster

People's Power Collective is resolute in its commitment to the people of Uttarakhand and its belief in the power of community radio as an agent of change.

• Broadcast Public Awareness Campaigns
• Develop networks with District Disaster Management Authority and State Disaster Management Authority
• Develop Networks with other Community Based Organisations
• Facilitate creation of first line of response at the time of disasters
• Broadcast and conduct public meetings
• Reachout to the elderly, marginalised and other vulnerable groups

During Disaster

• Broadcast about emergency evacuation
• Dispel rumours and hoax
• Provide timely and accurate updates
• Broadcast about safe zones and how to get there

Post Disaster

• Coordinate with DDMA and SDMA to efficiently carry out rescue and relief operations
• Interview and provide counselling to the traumatized victims
• Provide call in or talk back programs to felicitate people to people interactions

PPC's collaborative model is already showing results through the proof-of-concept project in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. In the coming years, PPC will be growing its work in the state, and setting up new community radio station through a similar process.

To know more, do write to us