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Radios given out in Bangladesh by Oxfam
to help people cope with the floods. Photo:Jane Beesley/Oxfam |
In Bangladesh much of the country is flooded every year during
the rainy season. Oxfam has helped set up special disaster preparedness
committees to deal with the floods. Over the last couple of years
radios have been given to these committees.
These radios allow the committees to hear the latest news affecting
the area by listening to a particular channel. This lets them warn
the villages and put special plans into action so they are prepared
before the floods hit.
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Iman at Charatra, Shariatrpur. Photo: Jane Beesley/Oxfam |
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The Iman at Charatra, Shariatrpur, explains "When I hear
the news on the radio I go straight to the mosque and make an announcement
over the mike. Everyone can hear at the same time and can put the
agreed preparedness plan into action."
Oxfam has provided funds for 205 radios. One (£6)
radio covers 4 or 5 villages, reaching around 300 households.
The radios are very important in helping people deal with the floods.
"The radios have made a big difference." said Mohammed
Habib Ullah Bahar, Director of Oxfam Partner MMS. "Being able
to communicate what is happening has been very valuable. I think
that without them more lives would have been lost."
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