Uzma Sulaiman and Chhavi Sharma tell us about the power of radio, and how Lifeline Energy is using it to make waves of positive change in Haiti…

Amidst reports that recovery in Haiti has been slow and some international organisations have abandoned their initial commitments (though check here to see Christian Aid’s continuous work in Haiti!), I’m proud that 1,000 of our solar-powered and wind-up radios have been successfully distributed to survivors of Haiti’s devastating earthquake…

“Radio is Haiti’s dominant medium. Access to radio can be shared easily and relatively cheaply among many people, and serves both literate and illiterate populations. These factors made radio the undisputed lifeline for the Haitian public after the earthquake...”

The Delivery
Despite logistical challenges with the transport and delivery, the radios reached the Caribbean island in October 2010 and have since proved instrumental in giving people access to practical information on post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, as well as the cholera epidemic. This is critical, given that the UN has estimated that 650,000 Haitians will still be living in temporary camps by the end of 2011, and Médecins Sans Frontières has warned that cholera will remain a serious problem in the country for years to come.

Rehabilitation, Psychosocial Support, Health Awareness And Hurricane Warnings
Along with updates on reconstruction plans and health programmes, the radios are also providing psychosocial support to people living in transitional shelters in Leogane - a coastal town at the epicentre of the earthquake. Most of the town got destroyed, with up to 30,000 people dead and almost all its buildings flattened.  

Raymonde Saint Suren, 52, from Leogane, said that alerts about approaching tropical storms help people know exactly when to repair the leaks in their house, protect their cattle and put their prized possessions – like official papers and religious books – in a secure place.

'... the radios are also providing psychosocial support to people living in transitional shelters in Leogane - a coastal town at the epicentre of the earthquake. Most of the town got destroyed, with up to 30,000 people dead...'

The mother added that she was also very excited to listen to music programmes on the radio and dance along with them. For her, it was more than just a celebration; it was an important coping mechanism that gave her a psychological boost and the courage to deal with the post-earthquake trauma, as well as the harsh reality of rebuilding her life from scratch. She acknowledged that Haiti is going through a very difficult time in history and music will help her come to terms with that.
 
Haiti’s Political Future
The radios are also opening up communication channels between citizens, local communities and government officials, in an effort to make the national reconstruction process a more collaborative and inclusive one. They are being used to access critical and post-disaster preparedness information in anticipation of the hurricane season that can then be relayed to the wider population.

'Every now and then, he (Jean Evelt, 16) also checks on football games – particularly when the Haitian and Brazilian teams are playing – as he wants to escape reality for a few hours...'

People were also eager to follow the electoral campaign and political developments surrounding the presidential elections. Jean Evelt, 16, listened to political news on his solar-powered radio. He said that because of his radio he found out about the election, the 19 presidential candidates and which political parties the candidates belonged to. Since he lost his father in the recent earthquake, he has taken it upon himself to keep his mother and sister, whom he lives with, informed of the events taking place. Every now and then, he also checks on football games – particularly when the Haitian and Brazilian teams are playing – as he wants to escape reality for a few hours and take a break.

The Power Of Radio
Relief Web, which is administered by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, recently acknowledged that as in past crises around the world, radio continued to be the most effective tool for serving the information needs of the local population. In a report entitled "Media, Information Systems and Communities: Lessons from Haiti," the non-profit organisation wrote that the first media priority in Haiti was to restore radio service. The report added that the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, the BBC, the Voice of America and Radio France International put together a “remarkable range of information and communications responses.”

'Most communities in Haiti only have 4-5 hours of electricity each day, if at all, so the radios serve as vital communication tools, allowing more than 5,000 people to tune into national news and important, life-saving information at this critical juncture'

“Radio is Haiti’s dominant medium. Access to radio can be shared easily and relatively cheaply among many people, and serves both literate and illiterate populations. These factors made radio the undisputed lifeline for the Haitian public after the earthquake,” the report mentioned.

Amidst the rise of “tent cities” in Haiti, there is optimism that recovery from the earthquake could open a new chapter in Haiti’s growth and development and provide a fresh start for a country that has been plagued by natural disasters. Lifeline Energy’s radios can help build this new chapter. Most communities in Haiti only have four-five hours of electricity each day, if at all, so the radios serve as vital communication tools, allowing more than 5,000 people to tune into national news and important, life-saving information at this critical juncture. The radios are making more than a substantial difference to the lives of families affected and displaced by the catastrophic impact of the 2010 earthquake.

Words: Uzma Balkiss Sulaiman and Chhavi Sharma
Photos: Lifeline Energy

Note: All interviews were conducted by the Lifeline Energy project manager whilst in Haiti.

To make your own waves in Haiti, and to learn more about Christian Aid’s work there, please click here.

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