By Chhavi Sharma | Project Manager
Our wind-up and solar-powered Lifeline radios will play an important role in Haiti’s massive rehabilitation efforts, by disseminating practical information on local disaster preparedness efforts during the hurricane season, as well as information for such displaced groups as women and children.
As months have passed since the devastating earthquake hit Haiti, the island remains in distress as 1.5 million citizens, including 300,000 children, remain displaced. Communication is an essential tool for reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, as a way of coordinating the delivery of aid and communicating what is needed in terms of food, water, shelter and medical supplies, among others.
Despite the tremendous steps taken to alleviate the suffering, it is becoming increasingly clear that the longer-term recovery and reconstruction programs are only just beginning to have effect.
PROJECT NEEDS AND BENEFICIARIES
The 1,000 Lifeline radios are in Haiti and are ready for distribution to grassroots and municipal organizations, women’s associations and other community-based groups. The radios will benefit an estimated 35,000 listeners, who are unlikely to have listening access.
ACTIVITIES
Lifeline Energy is working with partners National Democratic Institute (NDI), International Relief and Development (IRD) and AMARC to distribute the Lifeline radios.
NDI, our lead partner, has been active in the country for over a decade, helping to create Citizen Information Centers – community actions groups that have, since the earthquake, been vital in reconstruction. Those centers, which represent roughly 500 organizations, will be given the radios.
The radios will provide on-demand information broadcast from local and international sources, thereby improving the quality of life and providing social support.
Chhavi Sharma, Lifeline Energy’s project manager, is travelling to Haiti to help distribute the radios and conduct training.
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