A catastrophic 7.5 earthquake and tsunami left hundreds dead and over 300,000 people homeless in Palu, Indonesia. In addition to food, shelter and medicine, survivors need information and people rely on radio to broadcast information they can trust. Our solar powered wind-up Polaris radio lights provide 24/7 access to information, news and updates to displaced families and the disabled.The LED light provides light at night. The cell charging feature tops up cell phones (if survivors have one).
As always happens in a sudden emergency, relief agencies struggle to communicate with survivors. Many families have lost everything. People need information they can trust. Information is aid. They need to know where to go for help, news and weather reports, updates on missing persons, as well as psycho-social support in their language. Radio dramatically reduces rumors. Palu's radio infrastructure was destroyed and our partner, First Response Radio, is quickly rebuilding to start broadcasting.
Survivors don't have radios or batteries and may not have a cell phone. Our power-independent Polaris units will provide 24/7 FM radio broadcasts, along with light at night and cellphone charging. First Response have a network in place on the ground in Palu, which will handle distribution to those families most in need and to the disabled.
Access to information always has a long-term impact. Armed with information, people make more informed choices and decisions, instead of guessing. The psycho-social impact of listening to trained counsellors cannot in their language be under-estimated. All around the world people turn to radio as their first choice during an emergency. Information is aid.
