The link between emergency radio broadcasts and the health of disaster-affected communities has been proven in four studies by Dr. Karin Hugelius of Örebro University, Sweden. 

Following the November 2013 response to Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in the Philippines, Dr. Hugelius' research finds that significant mental and physical health benefits were experienced by those who listened to emergency radio broadcasts.  

Measuring the positive impact of radio on the community, the papers examine a variety of factors from the content of broadcasts, messaging, the needs and experiences of listeners to health issues amongst survivors. 

It was a kind of silence that is deafening - the radio broke through it, somehow. To hear the music and another voice, in the middle of the night...made me able to hang in there for one more night

As one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded, Haiyan/Yolanda had caused widespread damage and a huge death toll of over 6,000 people in the Philippines alone. Partner organisation and CDAC Network member, First Response Radio were first on air after Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda struck.  Arriving in Tacloban City, one of the hardest hit areas, the team found that all radio and TV stations were down. 

their recovery was aided by the relevant information, music and presence of a friend they found on the radio

Initially urged not to go in for safety reasons, the First Response team made it to the rooftop of the City Hall on Day 5, set up camp and a transmitter and were broadcasting by the next day.

Running the radio station to respond to the disaster for a total of 6 weeks, the team were able to stimulate hope and healing, with survivors feeling that "their recovery was aided by the relevant information, music and presence of a friend they found on the radio."  

Find out more about FRR's and how they manage to get emergency radio stations up and running within 72 hours:

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Download a summary of the research findings and all four papers on the First Response Radio website.

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