Surviving Disasters; Making Resilient Communities Through Community Radios

Abstract

Community Radio is a very powerful tool being used by the communities for transforming at a much faster pace. This hidden potential has never been realized by Pakistani societies which still live in a state of chaos in the 21st century. Community radios‘ anticipated role of preparing communities for disasters is unbelievable and same can be explored for the Pakistani communities. There is a need for realization at Government level for making communities resilient through community radios. National Disaster Management Authority can help in establishing a radio community channel as a Pilot Project in Pakistan under its own authority. Local communities can be encouraged for active participation in transforming their own communities in the realm of Disaster Risk Management. Once the community radio channel has been reputed then it can leap forward by eliminating all the hazards through community education/ mitigation. Local communities can be sensitized about Pakistan‘s global DRM commitments like efforts in reduction in poverty and hunger, making resilient communities by empowering women, gender equality and ensuring environmental sustainability. Goals can be set for monitoring at regular intervals for further expansion of community based FM radio networks in complete Pakistan.