Feba and our partners have developed expertise in providing emergency radio broadcasts and programming for crisis-affected communities.  Compelled by our faith, we believe that Jesus cared for the whole person, body, mind and soul so we feel it’s essential for us to offer practical, emotional and spiritual support to communities in need. Media helps and your support makes our work possible. 

CASE STUDY: First Response Radio

Working in partnership with First Response Radio, Feba has been able to respond to humanitarian disasters using media to save lives. 

Initially deploying in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and resulting tsunami, our partner First Response Radio (FRR) broadcast critical information to communities in Thailand devastated by the natural disaster.  The scale of the destruction was huge and it took nearly one month to start broadcasting to support communities affected by the tragedy.  

After years of honing their training, kit, and mobilisation techniques, by the time Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda hit the Philippines in 2013,  FRR were geared to respond much faster.

 
Hospital destroyed by earthquake in Nepal in 2015

Why Communication is Needed in Crisis-Affected Communities

When officials confirmed an urgent need for communication, with all media networks being damaged or destroyed in the storm, our partner First Response Radio were the first emergency station on air, broadcasting critical information within 72 hours.  This system has since been deployed to other areas, most recently in response to the Nepal earthquakes in April and May 2015.

 all systems, all vestiges of modern living - communications, power, water - all are down. Media is down, so there is no way to communicate with the people in a mass sort of way. 

Mar Roxas, Philippine Secretary of the Interior, after Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in 2013

Following a disaster, people need information, but communication should be two way.  The information needs of an affected community must be assessed and a decision made to choose which method of communication can most effectively reach people.  From our experience serving crisis affected communities across the globe, radio can be a key tool to deliver critical information that saves lives.      

Communications are a core part of emergency and disaster response.  

Mobile and internet networks may be down, charging phones may be near impossible, and loss of power or transmissions rules out television.  But a solar, wind up or battery powered radio is a cheap and accessible way to hear emergency information.  Listeners can tune in and find out what to do if a particular situation affected them, like where to find shelter, food, and clean water, or what to do regarding hygiene and sanitation.  

radio in partnership with the humanitarian effort has a greater impact to help people rebuild their lives 

Mike Adams, International Coordinator of First Response Radio

Our partners and networks have experience in distributing handsets when needed and our approach is able to get programmes quickly on air.  The key is preparedness: 

  • identify areas susceptible to natural disasters or other potential crisis
  • get the equipment on the ground
  • built up relationships with local communities, officials and aid agencies
  • provide emergency radio training to local teams
  • listen and engage with local communities to assess their needs in response to disaster.

From supporting our teams in prayer to helping us raise funds for kit or emergency broadcast training, you can help us make sure crisis-affected communities get access to life-changing media.

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