Chad Humanitarian Information Service

Internews radio service for Darfur refugees and displaced Chadians
Context and Issue: 

Refugees from Darfur in eastern Chad have had unprecedented access to information relevant to their security, protection and livelihood since the creation of the Chad Humanitarian Information Service. Programming on the stations has been designed to support the overall humanitarian relief effort. Unlike the international broadcasters that blanket the shortwave radio channels, the Chad Humanitarian Information Service provides local and locally-produced news and information, and special programmes that are specifically designed to address the needs of refugees and, very often, the local population. The service started in 2005 with the creation of Radio Absoun in Iriba, which initially broadcast news and information critical to the lives of refugees in the nearby camps of Iridimi, Touloum and Am Nabak. In 2006, the network expanded dramatically with the launch of Radio La Voix du Ouaddai in Abeche and Radio Sila in Goz Beida, with a broadcast signal covering a large swatch of territory from Goz Beida to Goz Amer, inclusive of all refugee camps in the area as well as significant populations of IDPs. Through out the past years, these radio stations have supported the humanitarian response by giving partners unprecedented access to the populations they serve. Relief organisations are fast realising the importance of this communications tool and continue to approach Internews for further collaborations on broadcasts.

Project's activities: 

There are numerous examples of messages broadcasted on the network and how they contribute to better communications between relief organisations and the refugees. Among the important messages produced in close collaboration with relief organisations are those pertaining to PSAs (public service announcements) on schooling of children with UNICEF and on breastfeeding of children with UNHCR. Other broadcasts include a programme on malnutrition and on services provided by Save the Children; an announcement explaining the mandate of the European forces; messages from Medicins Sans Frontieres on the importance of prenatal consultations in the camps around Iriba, which resulted in a noticeable increase in the number of pregnant women attending the camp clinic; information on cataract relief operations in the refugee camps by Oxfam International; information on fistula relief operations organised by the UNFPA; and a seven-episode radio drama on the work of the International Criminal Court. The ongoing two-year phase of the service is also focusing on expanding the reach of the broadcasts, developing content that balances the information needs of IDP and host populations with those of the Sudanese refugee population, equipment provision, and training and professional development of the radio network to promote greater long-term sustainability within the context of a predominantly humanitarian economy.

Participants and Beneficiaries: 

The primary audience for the programmes are 250,000 Darfuri refugees living in the camps of eastern Chad. Having fled their homes during the violent conflict in western Sudan, most have spent the last six years in the camps. Approximately 40 per cent of the refugees are adults (18 years and above); they constitute the target audience for radio programming. Women and children make up the vast majority (87 per cent) of the refugee population and certain radio shows specifically target female refugees (57.4 per cent). Direct beneficiaries are those who listen to the radio programmes; indirect beneficiaries include family members, friends and neighbours with whom the radio listeners share their information. As a priority for UNHCR and a major factor to consider in refugee security and the overall stability of the region, the internally displaced Chadian people are the second target group of the programme. The IDP population includes people of all ages, clustered mostly in the south-eastern region of Dar Sila, where inter-ethnic fighting in late 2006 and early 2007 resulted in large numbers of displaced Chadians. Current estimates for the IDP population in this region range from 170,000 to 180,000. Local populations living within the three broadcast areas, Iriba, Abéché-Farchana and Goz Beida-Goz Amer, which are affected by the influx of Sudanese refugees and the concentration of IDPs, make up the third target population. [All figures: UNHCR, April 2008]

Outcomes: 

Broadcasts often give a voice to refugees by allowing them to express themselves on certain issues. Radio programmes broadcast on the radio station network highlighting the life of refugees also help inform relief organisations of specific needs in the camps. A good example of this is the case of a 9-year-old girl named Siama, who received a three-wheel wheelchair following the airing of a 15-minute broadcast on the difficulties encountered by disabled women in the refugee camps. Additionally, the radio station network contributes to conflict resolution and dissipation of tensions between local Chadians and refugees or within the camps, as evidenced by the following example: in late December 2007, near the camp of Touloum, 20 refugee women out gathering firewood were beaten by men from a neighboring Chadian community. Radio Absoun immediately reported the event with a balanced news feature airing voices from all sides of the conflict as well as the reaction of the authorities (the community leader, camp manager and prefect). Thanks to the coverage received by the story, the assailants were quickly identified and the voices of the victims were heard. Several follow-up reports on the firewood issue and the need for conflict resolution were aired the following week. The prompt reaction of Radio Absoun and its follow-up strongly contributed to the setting up of a 'Comité de règlement des conflits entre autochtones et réfugiés' in Iriba.

"People in Abéché criticise girls who work with men but I close my ears so that I don't have to hear any of it. I am proud of my work and my parents are proud of me, too."
Houda Mahamat Malloum, host, reporter and producer at La Voix du Ouaddaï, a community radio station set up by Internews in Abéché, Chad
“Our protection/community services section works regularly with the Internews reporters: whether it be by responding to questions on our activities in recorded interviews or by addressing the refugee population through the radio network. Internews has proven very helpful in providing information on programmes and activities in the camps and, thus, helping to curb wrongful rumours and disinformation. The reporters have also helped us address specific issues related to sexual and gender-based violence through local news messages and campaigns in 2007 […]. We need this service.”
Claude Vadenboncoeur, UNHCR Protection Officer in Abéché

PROJECT NEWS

 
2008.12.10
> Chad Humanitarian Information Service

Voice of Darfur - Photos and multimedia exhibition, Trocadero, Paris

In the middle of a worsening humanitarian crisis in the Darfur area, three radio stations based along the Chad-Sudan border have been giving a voice to refugees, internally displaced and local populations, and delivering news critical to their survival as well as information and entertainment making life easier in these extreme circumstances.
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Chad, Humanitarian Response, Media Production, Media Professionalisation
 
 
2007.04.05
> Chad Humanitarian Information Service

Radio Ouaddai in Chad

in the France-Inter programme "Et pourtant elle tourne"...The France-Inter radio magazine "Et pourtant elle tourne" presented the Radio Ouaddai set up by Internews. Radio Station ’’La Voix du Ouaddai’’ - Chad Abeche is a part of Internews activities in the media development all over the world. Internews established community radio network in Chad to prepare the way for the establishment of a community radio network: creation of a production centre in Abeche and providing radio programming to three or four of the refugee camps in the country. To listen online for a week (5-8 April 2007)
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Chad, Humanitarian Response, Media Production, Media Professionalisation
 

PHOTOS

  • Upgrade antenna in Chad
  • Zakaria reads news
  • Receiver and Absoun in background
  • Raisinf mast in Absoun
  • Radio Absoun editorial room
  • Radio Absoun
  • Car with upgrade gear
  • Labourer raise mast
  • Radio Absoun upgrade station