Humanitarian Media Aid for Pakistani Flood Victims

Sabaoon, is a radio program broadcast in Pashto across KPK to respond to the flood crisis and other regions. Radio Awaz in Punjab and Radio Highway in Sindh each have teams of reporters covering the needs of people affected by the floods. The programs and reports are produced as part of the Internews’ humanitarian media response in the region. They convey vital information to people affected by the floods to help them make decisions about their lives. The programs and reports also help raise awareness about health, nutrition, hygiene, education, shelter and protection matters.

However, these stories can also identify gaps in information and assistance, or misunderstandings, which can be addressed through the radio programs. The following Humanitarian Issues from the Field are drawn from the latest episodes, which can also be accessed with English translation on www.hip.org.pk. We hope that by sharing these matters, the humanitarian community can have a better idea of questions and concerns from people affected by the floods and the conflict.

1. Sabaoon continues to cover the difficulties faced by people affected by the floods as they try to use their Watan Cards. In DI Khan, people often wait in long lines as ATM’s and banks are not equipped to deal with the increased load. Some people complain it takes several days of waiting in line to finally withdraw the money.
2. As people begin to return to the Agencies, they are experiencing many problems. In Bara, Khyber Agency, public transportation fares have greatly increased due to a shortage of fuel and the dilapidated condition of roads. On Sabaoon, people are saying they cannot go to work or conduct daily chores, as it is too expensive. On the other hand, taxi and van drivers say the cost of running transport has become too expensive and they had no choice but to charge higher fares. People are demanding authorities to repair roads so that they can resume daily travel.
3. In a recent report on Sabaoon, Afghan citizens living in Bara complain that blocked roads and the curfew are making it nearly impossible for them to travel to Peshawar to renew the registration cards issued to them by the Government.  They ask the Government with the help of other organizations to set up renewal centres in Bara.
4. Many residents of flood affected areas, such as Sadiqabad in Punjab and Nooriabad in Sindh, say they have not received Watan cards. They say they need this cash assistance to buy food and medicine. Reports on Radio Awaz and Radio Highway feature interviews with people which suggest that they are not fully aware of how the Watan card works and how they can become eligible.
5. Winter weather is setting in across the country, leaving parents particularly concerned about their children. In several reports on Sabaoon and across Radio Awaz and Radio Highway, parents say their children are sick with fever, cough and colds. In some areas, such as Sadiqabad, many children are being treated for pneumonia. People who have returned to their areas say they need shelter and warm clothes and blanket desperately.

Voices of Listeners

Sabaoon receives phone calls daily from listeners. Here is what they are saying;

Amin Jan, Mardan: My home was completely damaged by the flood, please send reporter to our area. Also, I learned about how to register for the BISP [Benazir Income Support Program] through Sabaoon. Sabaoon made it much easier for me to get compensation under the BISP.

Ahmad Khan, Fauji Kala: Sabaoon is great source of information for us, especially in registering for different relief programs. After listening to Sabaoon, I learned about different relief programs in my area and how I could register, then I went and registered myself.

Ahmad Fazal, Nowshehra: I listen to the stories about medical issues on Sabaoon very carefully and try to follow the instructions and advice from the doctors in these reports.

A woman from Sheedo: My name for the Watan Card was written incorrectly. I had it corrected but despite this I still cannot access my compensation. What should I do?

Thank you: We are able to continue this important work in part because of the generous support of Global Giving donors. Thank you for your contributions.

Links:

• Humanitarian Information Portal