Radio Broadcasts to Stop Covid-19 in Sierra Leone
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We are raising funds to support the Independent Radio Network , which is producing broadcasts critical to the fight against COVID-19 in Sierra Leone, West Africa. The IRN is a network of 40 member stations serving Sierra Leone’s 7.7 million people.
I am a former Peace Corps Volunteer (Sierra Leone 1985-87), and president of The Foundation for West Africa , a nonprofit that supports community radio stations in the region. I am also a board member of the IRN, which is the most trusted, effective media outlet in Sierra Leone.
The Situation: COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Sierra Leone. President Bio has declared a National State of Emergency. Borders and schools are closed. Social distancing and hand-washing are being advised. Quarantines and lockdowns are becoming the norm.
The Urgency: COVID-19 can spread rapidly in Sierra Leone. The capital city, Freetown, is home to about 2 million people, many of whom live in crowded homes without adequate water or sanitation. Those in smaller cities and villages live in similar conditions. The country’s illiteracy rate is 65-70%. Health care services are sorely lacking for most people.
Changing behavior is the most effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19. The IRN helped end Ebola by providing information that people trusted and acted on. These same services are essential today.
To provide accurate, life-saving information through national simulcasts, supplemented by local programming, IRN needs resources to support its:
People: Reporters, producers, technicians, and volunteers
Technology: Satellite links, internet and cell phones to connect the network, and energy to power radio stations
The IRN’s vision is “a Sierra Leone of well-informed citizenry.” Its mission is to “provide people with credible information for a safe and empowered society.”
Please join us in support of the IRN’s critical work in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The people of Sierra Leone have dealt with and defeated a deadly virus in the past. They can do it again with the help of their most trusted source of information: the Independent Radio Network.
We know this is a very tough time, and very much appreciate any level of support you can give, including the forwarding of this page to others. Thank you.
I am a former Peace Corps Volunteer (Sierra Leone 1985-87), and president of The Foundation for West Africa , a nonprofit that supports community radio stations in the region. I am also a board member of the IRN, which is the most trusted, effective media outlet in Sierra Leone.
The Situation: COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Sierra Leone. President Bio has declared a National State of Emergency. Borders and schools are closed. Social distancing and hand-washing are being advised. Quarantines and lockdowns are becoming the norm.
The Urgency: COVID-19 can spread rapidly in Sierra Leone. The capital city, Freetown, is home to about 2 million people, many of whom live in crowded homes without adequate water or sanitation. Those in smaller cities and villages live in similar conditions. The country’s illiteracy rate is 65-70%. Health care services are sorely lacking for most people.
Changing behavior is the most effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19. The IRN helped end Ebola by providing information that people trusted and acted on. These same services are essential today.
To provide accurate, life-saving information through national simulcasts, supplemented by local programming, IRN needs resources to support its:
People: Reporters, producers, technicians, and volunteers
Technology: Satellite links, internet and cell phones to connect the network, and energy to power radio stations
The IRN’s vision is “a Sierra Leone of well-informed citizenry.” Its mission is to “provide people with credible information for a safe and empowered society.”
Please join us in support of the IRN’s critical work in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The people of Sierra Leone have dealt with and defeated a deadly virus in the past. They can do it again with the help of their most trusted source of information: the Independent Radio Network.
We know this is a very tough time, and very much appreciate any level of support you can give, including the forwarding of this page to others. Thank you.
Organizer
Topher Hamblett
Organizer
Barrington, RI
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