As disasters piled up all across FEBC's broadcast areas in the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia this week, staff struggled to keep the radio broadcasts on air to guide those in crisis.
In the Philippines, Ella and Peter McIntyre (Feba UK staff working with FEBC since 1988) witnessed the storm damage from Typhoon Ketsana and FEBC in action. Ella writes: “Many of our own broadcasters and colleagues were directly affected themselves. Church property washed away, homes damaged, possessions destroyed. At one bridge near FEBC, a bulldozer scooped up the mountain of black mud – poking out of the pile, a rolled up carpet, an armchair. Pitiful evidence of a home completely swept into oblivion.”
FEBC swung into well-practised crisis mode. DZAS (our local community radio station) was back on air by Sunday, bringing comfort and practical advice to many. DZFE (our other Manila-based FM station) is also functioning as a coordination and distribution centre for aid.
Flood waters poured into the FEBC short wave installation building in Bocaue, Philippines, with 4 high-powered transmitters that broadcast to 54 language groups of Asia (36 hours total daily). These were taken off air for a few days, while staff worked around the clock to clear the mud and dry out the equipment, even before their own homes, in order to restore broadcasts as early as possible. By Thursday the transmitters were back in action, with no permanent damage.
Radio comes into its own in emergencies as a source of information: a familiar voice sharing clear facts rather than rumours, calmly and compassionately cutting through the chaos and confusion, letting our listeners know they are not alone, or forgotten, and offering a place to call to let the authorities know where to direct help.
Ella tells this story of a Filipino lady, showing her resilient spirit amidst the tragedy. When asked how her family fared with Typhoon Ketsana, the lady said: “We are fine. The good thing is, there are plenty of fish to catch!”
