[cma-l] Fwd: News from AMARC about Community Radios in Nepal

[CMA-L]

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Dear friends and colleagues,

Firstly, I wish to thank you all for your kind messages expressing
concerns, prayers and good wishes to me personally, for my colleagues in
the office and for the Nepali people in general. Some of us have not been
in touch for years and yet you sent your messages. I cannot adequately
express in words how heartening it is to hear from each one of you. I am
truly grateful for your words of concern and encouragement.

*General update:*

As you all know, the first quake shock was encountered on April 25,
Saturday at 11:58 AM Nepal standard time. It measured 7.6 units in
Magnitude. It is the biggest so far, in the last three days. According to
local media, there have been at least 64 jolts measuring above 4 in
magnitude since. In fact the second biggest shock came yesterday, Sunday
around 12:55 PM. It measured 6.5 in magnitude. While the first jolt itself
created a massive destruction in the city core of Kathmandu valley and
beyond, the aftershocks have made rescue work a lot more challenging.
Additionally, it has been raining in different parts since yesterday
(Sunday).

I can hardly speak enough about the grave loss and tragedy faced by those
that have lost family members and friends, as well as their homes and
businesses. The feeling of uncertainty haunts even those that are safe so
far. Rumour-mongering about impending massive quakes has spread an
atmosphere of fear all around. Those that have lost their houses are forced
to stay in the streets or nearby open spaces. Even those whose houses are
intact or damaged in limited ways are doing the same out of fear. State
owned radio (Radio Nepal) has been cautioning about epidemics and is asking
all to wear masks when outdoors. Power cuts and limited access to Internet
have made it difficult to communicate within and outside of Nepal.

While there is some semblance of relief activity within Kathmandu valley
(which has three ancient townships of Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu in
it), it is an altogether a different story outside of Kathmandu. Villages
after villages have been wiped out and people are being forced to flee to
nearby forests or any other place that seems safer. I hope and pray that
the relief work will catch pace and gain in quality sooner than later.
Tents, which are needed urgently, are in great shortage and the government
has appealed internationally for support. International support has started
to arrive.

*Loss to community radio stations:*


I have been in touch with colleagues from ACORAB (community radio
association of Nepal) to ascertain the status of community radios. Although
details are trickling in, so far we know that most radios have suffered
equipment and the regular broadcasts have been hindered or halted fully.
According to Govinda Devkota, General Secretarh of ACORAB, until yesterday,
all radios – commercial as well as community radios were off air around
Kathmandu and in areas that have suffered from the quake – which are mainly
the districts of Gorkha, Lamjung, Tanahun, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchowk,
Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Ramechhap, and a some more. These are
districts located in the central part of Nepal in the map. Radios are
trying hard to get back on air. I have learnt from the senior vice
President of ACORAB Kishore Jung Thapa that Gorkha FM, a community radio
station that he heads in the district of Gorkha has resumed broadcast since
this morning out of a tent as the station building has been severely
damaged. I am trying to contact, as much as possible, other stations to
find out of their status and will be posting the information in this page.
So far I have not heard of any casualty among staff members of the radios
but there have been massive losses of lives and properties all around the
stations in most of the above-mentioned districts.

I call upon my colleagues from the various community radio stations in
Nepal to share their status here if they can.

Government of Nepal has declared a state of emergency and all educational
institutions are to remain closed indefinitely. For now we have decided to
keep the office closed for this week at least, as it is not convenient to
reach there for most of the staff members due to distance and exigencies in
the family. However, we are trying our best to keep in touch with each
other by phone and with you all by Internet.

We had a delegation visiting from Bhutan for a study tour of community
radios. They had arrived just a day before (Friday) the quake. They left
for Bhutan by an evacuation flight this morning at 6 AM. We are feel hugely
relieved that they are in the safety of their homes by now.

*Immediate action by AMARC:*
AMARC is trying to assess the damage suffered by the community broadcasters
and will take up concrete actions of support once a clearer picture emerges.

Lastly,
I live in an area that is slightly away from the city core and hence the
level of damage to jnfrastructure is fairly low. We are safe so far. I am
in touch with Minji, Raghuji and many of our other friends and all are safe
so far. Everyone is taking the best precautions possible. I will continue
my updates as and when possible.

With warmest regards, Suman.
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