Paris - A team from Internews is arriving today in Port-au-Prince to assess the damage caused by the earthquake to Haiti’s media infrastructure, especially to the local radio network
A team from Internews is arriving today in Port-au-Prince to assess the damage caused by the earthquake to Haiti’s media infrastructure, especially to the local radio network. The media assistance organization will then issue recommendations on how to restore the information network, particularly affected by the disaster, as well as recommendations for Haitian journalists.
In order to replace the damaged transmitters, Internews Europe will bring in from Paris a 300-watt transmitter that is expected to be able to broadcast up to 30 miles around Port-au-Prince. It will be made available to a local radio station. On site, Internews’ assessment team will also deploy light broadcasting equipments (suitcase transmitters) in order for information broadcasts to be back on air.
Haitians urgently need lifesaving information on how to find food, water and shelter, how to connect to loved ones and of course on their safety. Broadcasting this information should also contribute to a better coordination of the Humanitarian response in field, and enable NGOs and UN agencies to better communicate with the population in Haiti.
Internews has been actively involved for many years in Haiti, and developed a network of 41 community radio stations throughout the country (RAMAK, Rassemblement Medya pou Aksyon Kominoté). This project focused on journalism training and technical skills for radio production personnel. Internews’ Country Director, Philippe Allouard reports that at least 12 radio stations broadcasting to the Port-au-Prince area and one national radio broadcaster are back on the air today in Haiti.