08 January 2002

IOM Distributes Radios for Afghan Humanitarian Broadcasts

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is distributing about 30,000 radios in Afghanistan to allow citizens better accessibility to news and information about the delivery of humanitarian relief and the process of national reconstruction.

In a January 8 press briefing, IOM spokesperson Jean Philippe Chauzy said the Afghanistan Emergency Information Program has now begun daily broadcasts in Dari, Pashtu and English. Afghan reporters are providing information to the British Broadcasting Service (BBC) and the Voice of America (VOA), relying heavily on interviews with Afghan citizens. IOM representatives say the intent is to insure the Afghan voice is included in coverage of the relief effort.

Chauzy said, "Topics range from specific news items such as the risks caused by mines and unexploded ordnance, transportation options for IDPs (internally displaced persons) wishing to return home, and items of more general interest such as the work of local NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) and the contribution Afghans are making to the reconstruction of their country."

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funded the project with $1.7 million. In a Washington press briefing January 3, USAID Director Andrew Natsios said the broadcasts should add some accountability to the relief distribution effort. "One way of doing that is simply to tell the people what their rights are, what their ration is supposed to be, what the medical support is they are supposed to be getting. If they are not getting it, they go to their leaders and say, wait a second, something is wrong here, we were supposed to get this ration and it is not being delivered; we want to know why," Natsios said.

Following is an excerpt from the IOM press briefing notes:

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION

Press Briefing Notes - 8 January 2002 by Jean Philippe Chauzy, IOM Spokesperson

AFGHANISTAN - Afghan Emergency Information Program

To provide accurate, up to date and unbiased information on basic humanitarian issues to Afghan IDPs, vulnerable groups and the population at large, IOM Afghanistan Emergency Information Program has started daily radio bulletins.

The bulletins are available in Pashtu, Dari and English, and are distributed to international radio stations such as BBC, VOA and broadcasters in neighboring countries. Radio stations inside Afghanistan are also using the bulletins.

IOM Regional Representative Fran Sullivan notes, "There are many sources of official and institutional information on the aid effort, but the Afghan voice in this process, which affects their life in fundamental ways, is often missing. This project will help Afghans find their own voice."

Through a growing network of Afghan correspondents managed by the British NGO Media Support Solutions, the bulletins report on issues of interest to local populations, relying heavily on interviews with Afghans. Topics range from specific news items such as the risks caused by mines and unexploded ordnance, transportation options for IDPs wishing to return home, and items of more general interest such as the work of local NGOs and the contribution Afghans are making to the reconstruction of their country.

As part of the program, 30,000 radios have been purchased and are being distributed to IDPs and other who have no access to information as well as to public institutions such as hospitals and schools. So far, more than 20,000 radios have been distributed.

Today, the IOM office in Mazar-e-Sharif is distributing radios to over 2,600 families and village leaders in four districts around Andkhoi. "The people are very eager to receive the radios. Last week when we were distributing family kits, gift packs and radios, all of the people were queuing for the radios first. It was amazing to see how they were frantically searching for a station where they could get the latest news." Waly Jalyar, IOM officer in Mazar-e-Sharif recounts.

The program also provides small grants to support the emergence of small-scale media projects and encourage a free exchange of information among Afghans, particularly for women, youth and vulnerable groups. This program is funded by a grant of US$1.7 million from USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives.