Media for Early Recovery Pakistan Flood 2010
The Pakistan floods of 2010 affected more than 20 million people nationwide. The destruction of community networks, livelihoods, and infrastructure has been unprecedented. The early recovery needs of the worst affected areas are very complex, ranging from physical infrastructure reconstruction, to rebuilding trust in government and the judicial system, and giving a voice to citizens who fear that they may be marginalised in redevelopment plans. The lack of information on rights and entitlements leaves communities vulnerable to manipulation, corruption, and abuse. In order to stabilise flood-affected communities and prevent disaster related conflict, local government officials should master the means and skills to engage in effective public debate. Journalists and local media should be well equipped and trained and, equally important, the affected populations should have the means to channel their voices back to the providers of assistance.
As Pakistan entered the ‘second-phase’ of flood recovery, media outlets needed assistance to evolve into a more effective forum in order to debate and analyze broader public interests. By supporting these media outlets, Internews increases emphasis on the longer term social and societal impacts.
Regional Radio Networks: Internews uses its existing network of contacts and expertise to select a combination of private and government radio stations in each of the four provinces. These stations are the primary recipients of the radio assistance activities.
Regional Community Engagement: Unconventional media activities also play a significant role to stabilise communities. Internews delivers a series of community-based activities that, leveraging media resources, show rapid impact.
National, Regional Television Stations: Internews is working with a range of influential national and local TV stations, popular with large swathes of the population through their vernacular output. Combined, the activities triangulate the local radio capacity building and community engagement in order to fully impact relevant national policy debates.
The project targets flood-affected audiences across Punjab, Sindh, KPK and Baluchistan.
The immediate beneficiaries of this project are the staff (managers, editors, journalists) at provincial radio networks (up to 20 stations), at least three regional and one national TV station, which all benefit from sustainable knowledge and capacity building activities.
The final beneficiaries of this project are individual citizens (media listeners/viewers), representing up to 16 million people, who have been affected by the floods.
Experienced journalists from partner stations report in an efficient way on local governance and long-term recovery from humanitarian disasters.
Journalists take ownership of long-term recovery themes in their work
Radio and TV stations involved are equipped with essential technical facilities which guarantees a consistent standard of programming.
Debates in different parts of flood-affected areas showcase the progress made by the Government and the international community in rebuilding communities, the ongoing challenges facing the country and the priorities for the coming years.
Government communications capacity increases through trainings (basic interviewing and presentation skills, media planning and maintenance of mutually beneficial relationships with the media).
Local, regional and national media outlets exist in a sustainable fashion independently of the projects that created them.
