BBC Somali launches new radio programme to address drought

Hiiraan Online

Wednesday October 4, 2017

PHOTO: AFP

London (HOL) – BBC Somali has premiered a new radio series on Tuesday,  Ogaal, that is aimed at helping Somali’s deal with the current drought.

The series is a collaboration between BBC Somali, Radio Ergo and BBC Media Action and will air stories from across Somalia on those affected by the drought as well as the humanitarian groups that respond to emergencies.

The 15-minute program will air three times a week at 5:40 pm EAT on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and will also be available online at bbc.com/Somali .

Abdullahi Abdi, the editor of BBC Somali said that he hopes the program will reach the most vulnerable people.

“BBC Somali’s ongoing commitment to telling the stories of its audience as well as bringing them impartial, accurate reporting is furthered by this great collaboration. This programme will enable us to show the way to survival to the most vulnerable people at this difficult time of drought.”

The program will focus on topics such as health, hygiene and nutrition and will be produced in part by the BBC Media Action Team, the BBC’s international development charity.

Angela Murithi, the Country Director for BBC Media Action said: “Information is a vital form of humanitarian aid. In light of this, BBC Media Action’s collaboration with BBC Somali Service and Radio Ergo to produce Ogaal is a crucial step in helping the 6.2 million Somalis affected by the on-going drought to get answers to basic questions they have on how to survive and cope with the crisis. Questions like how do I find food? How do I know my child is malnourished and needs medical attention? What can I do with the types of food that I do have? How do I prioritise the use of the little water I have? As well as broader questions about the humanitarian situation in general and what the government and the international community is doing about it." She added that "the programme will also allow the real voices of people who are affected by the crisis and how they are coping to be heard – providing a sense of psychosocial support to many affected listeners.”

Aid agencies have warned that more than six million people, half the population, are in need of food, water and medical assistance. Over the last year, 800,000 people in Somalia have been displaced due to drought and famine according to Refugees International.