Sri Lankan CMCs Become Information Lifelines in Tsunami Aftermath
06-01-2005 (Paris)
The Matara Community Multimedia Centre, in the heart of Sri Lanka’s disaster zone, is broadcasting over 250 missing persons messages a day on its station, the Southern Regional Station of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, while its telecentre has been mobilised by those handling the crisis.
“The students who normally use the computers were all affected by the tsunami, none have been back, but last week Information Ministry staff made use of the CMC’s six computers as local government office equipment had been destroyed”, explained editor Neil Weeratunga.
“We do not yet have our planned Internet connection at the CMC; if we did, we could do so much more”, he continued. But the local radio is already doing a lot – acting as a vital channel for information on disaster aid for the tens of thousands left without water, electricity, telephones, food or shelter and giving out information on missing persons, which is then collated by university researchers.
UNESCO is currently supporting the development of six CMCs in Sri Lanka. The centres combine local radio and public telecentre facilities offering computer training, email and Internet access. Radio’s outreach is particularly important in crisis situations, but Internet also offers a vital channel for contact and information. During Mozambique’s floods in 2000, the UNESCO-supported telecentres played a key role, allowing people separated or cut off by the huge floods to send and access information.
The scale of the tsunami disaster means that local radio stations have become an information lifeline for survivors. A second CMC in Bandarawella is also fully mobilised. Its radio station, Uva Community Radio, reaches communities along the affected Eastern coast.
The radios’ reporters attend daily progress meetings and broadcast vital information from government officials and NGOs. They also relay information back to those managing the crisis from members of the community on their problems and needs.
“Last night a father came to the station; he wanted to go on air to thank us for reuniting him with his son. Every day, many people phone or come here to seek help with a range of problems. The station is a trusted and familiar institution that people turn to”, noted Mr Weeratunga at the Matara CMC.
Just minutes before the waves struck Matara, near Galle, there were no signs of the impending disaster and people were preparing for a ceremony at the Buddhist temple out in the bay, which was due to be attended that evening by the Prime Minister. Now, people are trying to pick up the pieces of shattered lives and next Monday, the Matara CMC club will reopen its doors, while the radio continues its task of contributing to the disaster response.
“We do not yet have our planned Internet connection at the CMC; if we did, we could do so much more”, he continued. But the local radio is already doing a lot – acting as a vital channel for information on disaster aid for the tens of thousands left without water, electricity, telephones, food or shelter and giving out information on missing persons, which is then collated by university researchers.
UNESCO is currently supporting the development of six CMCs in Sri Lanka. The centres combine local radio and public telecentre facilities offering computer training, email and Internet access. Radio’s outreach is particularly important in crisis situations, but Internet also offers a vital channel for contact and information. During Mozambique’s floods in 2000, the UNESCO-supported telecentres played a key role, allowing people separated or cut off by the huge floods to send and access information.
The scale of the tsunami disaster means that local radio stations have become an information lifeline for survivors. A second CMC in Bandarawella is also fully mobilised. Its radio station, Uva Community Radio, reaches communities along the affected Eastern coast.
The radios’ reporters attend daily progress meetings and broadcast vital information from government officials and NGOs. They also relay information back to those managing the crisis from members of the community on their problems and needs.
“Last night a father came to the station; he wanted to go on air to thank us for reuniting him with his son. Every day, many people phone or come here to seek help with a range of problems. The station is a trusted and familiar institution that people turn to”, noted Mr Weeratunga at the Matara CMC.
Just minutes before the waves struck Matara, near Galle, there were no signs of the impending disaster and people were preparing for a ceremony at the Buddhist temple out in the bay, which was due to be attended that evening by the Prime Minister. Now, people are trying to pick up the pieces of shattered lives and next Monday, the Matara CMC club will reopen its doors, while the radio continues its task of contributing to the disaster response.
Related themes/countries
· Tsunami in South Asia
· UNESCO and Community Multimedia Centres (CMCs)
· Sri Lanka: News Archive 2005
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- UNESCO
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