July 20, 2006	Thursday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 23, 1427

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

ISLAMABAD, July 19: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in collaboration with the media wing of the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) on Wednesday launched a radio programme to update quake victims on issues and policies affecting their return and recovery.

The first programme of “Hemat Javan Hai” (The Will is Strong) was aired in quake-affected areas and Islamabad at 6pm on Power 99 FM radio.

The programme started with an interview with Erra Deputy Chairman Lt-Gen Nadeem focusing on compensatory issues in quake- hit areas.

Radio being one of the most powerful media of communication can not only effectively disseminate timely information, but can also be one of the major sources of behavioural change, Lt-Gen Nadeem said.

Since information and awareness was key to successful rebuilding, Erra has launched information dissemination programmes in collaboration with UNHCR, and “Hemat Javan Hai” was one of the examples, he added.

He said in the present age, effective and smooth flow of information to those affected was one of Erra’s main priorities.

The low literacy rate in some areas meant that radio was the most immediate and accessible medium, said Kilian Kleinschmidt, UNHCR’s emergency coordinator for the earthquake operation.

But the programme should not turn into a ‘complaint’ forum. It would take a balanced approach to legitimate problems and queries, to inform the wider public about the situation on ground and the enormous task of rebuilding shattered lives, he added.

The programme would also seek to counter misinformation and rumours while establishing a dialogue between the affected and decision-makers in the process of reconstruction and rehabilitation, the UNHCR official said.

Meanwhile, the daily 30-minute show would have interviews with government policymakers, reports from the earthquake- affected areas and interviews with aid workers, returnees and people still living in relief camps.

Every Sunday there will be a 90-minute live programme featuring a panel of government officials or other experts responding to queries and complaints by the affected people.

Topics of the radio show would include compensation, relocation, livelihood opportunities, and building codes and practices. Land and legal issues, updates on reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, as well as central and local-level policies would also be covered.