THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) jointly with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) will conduct capacity building classes for community radios in the state.
The KSDMA will also demand an emergency frequency for Kerala to air information strictly related to emergencies and natural disasters.
There are 12 community radios under several non-governmental organisations in the state.
UNESCO and KSDMA organised a consultation and planning meeting here on Monday to strengthen the role of community radio during disaster response.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) state project officer Joe John George appreciated the role of community radios during last year's floods in the state.
“They did good work during the flood without proper training. UNESCO will be conducting a five-day-long capacity building programme for them next month. The module would focus on the standard operating procedures during a crisis,” he said.
He said that the KSDMA had urged the deputy secretary of the Union information and broadcasting ministry, S. R. Yadav, to sanction a dedicated emergency frequency for Kerala.
“Many developed countries have such dedicated frequency, which could be tuned in during disasters to get proper guidance. Radio is an integral part of the emergency kit during a natural disaster. The community radios would provide key information and guidance for the public before, during and post-disaster,” Mr George said.
