Pakistan Emergency Information Project (PEIP)

This initiative draws on the strategy of bolstering local journalistic and production capacity to meet the information needs of affected local populations, especially those who are isolated. A key focus is on using a specific information and communication technology (ICT) - radio - which is popular and (relatively speaking) easily accessible. The use of this particular ICT is intended to facilitate dissemination of post-disaster information broadly and to empower the local population by including their voices in debate about the national relief and reconstruction effort.

A core aspect of PEIP has been launching a production unit to create a daily 60-minute radio programme called "Jazba-e-Tameer" ("Spirit of Reconstruction") which focuses on relief, recovery, and rehabilitation. Broadcast by 7 emergency FM radio stations in the earthquake zone and several other stations in Pakistan, "Jazba-e-Tameer" is designed to instil hope while providing accurate and impartial information to help people make decisions about their future. (Internews explains that such information is vital in countering many of the rumours and myths - e.g., that the quake was divine punishment - that can circulate in the absence of formal communication lines.) Examples of specific topics covered include tent schools, life in refugee camps, the specific needs of women in the wake of the disaster, spinal injuries and amputations, and where to find help. Each programme is followed by an hour-long call-in programme in which affected people discuss relief and reconstruction issues. The "Jazba-e-Tameer" team, which consists of 10 radio producers who received extensive training from Internews, also provides relief organisations with feedback from affected communities.

In addition, Internews conducted a series of 4-day-long trainings in humanitarian reporting for emergency broadcast stations to build local journalism capacity and include more local voices in the Jazba-e-Tameer radio programme. Two reporters from Jazba-e-Tameer attended each training; Internews stresses that the participation of these reporters was crucial in that they were able to relate to local journalists in a way Internews' international humanitarian advisor could not, and addressed local issues in a direct way. In April 2006, Internews also held a one-week women's training, based on the belief that many women - who are restricted in their mobility due to cultural/social norms - would be more comfortable learning in a female-only environment, with female instructors.

The provision of actual technology - 10,000 crank-operated and solar-powered radio sets - has been another PEIP strategy for improving access to timely, accurate information among affected populations. The sturdy radio sets can be run on battery cells, solar energy, dynamo or electricity, and also feature a torch, navigation compass, thermometer, emergency alarm and storage pocket. Donated by Internews, the radio sets were distributed in August 2006 with the logistical assistance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Emergency.

According to official estimates, over 80,000 people died in the earthquake (including 30,000 children in classrooms), more than 100,000 sustained injuries, and 3.5 million were displaced.

Snapshot surveys conducted by Internews 2 weeks after the quake and 4 months later in the affected regions revealed a growing dependence on radio as a reliable source of information for the affected populations. In late October 2005, 28% said radio was one of their primary sources of information; in late February 2006, the percentage had increased to 70%. In the second survey, respondents mentioned one or more of all 7 emergency response radio stations and a commercial station on air at the time of the survey as their station of choice. The follow-up survey also revealed that, 4 months after the quake, more people were consuming more media, including television and newspapers.

Internews explains that, following the quake, the authorities launched a new community radio media regime, characterised as "the first time that private broadcast media was allowed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which had a state monopoly before the quake". Internews believes that this system "has in a short time become a major source of independent, reliable and useful information for the affected populations."