24 APRIL 2020

A community radio response to COVID-19 in Bangladesh

By AHM Bazlur, Bangladesh

To cope with the COVID -19 situation, it demands co-operation among government, CSOs, local business communities, multi-stakeholders. Community Radio stations are now building awareness to change attitudes among community people at different points in their daily lives. We, at the Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication, have been mobilising all community radios for developing and broadcasting awareness-building programmes on COVID-19.

Currently, 18 Community Radios stations in Bangladesh are broadcasting 165 hours of coronavirus prevention education in line with the National Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19. There are 200 community youth and youth women working as community broadcasters and they are providing a channel for two-way communication with community people, where listeners are sending SMS or call in with questions.

It's not easy to get information to the hard-to-reach at the best of times, and we will continue to strive to make sure the needs of these communities are not forgotten.

Cheer us on and support in any way you can!

13 APRIL 2020

In crisis, love and consideration shine

By Lizza, Writer, Italy

It’s my sixth week of quarantine in one of the living art galleries of the world, Italy. I am a Filipino American who recently moved to a country also best known for living 'la dolce vita'.

These past weeks, that phrase doesn’t seem to hold true, as the country had become the new epicentre of this treacherous virus at one point. What used to be busy streets filled with locals, tourists and artists are now eerie and empty. Typically happy, loud and passionate, Italians are all cooped up in their homes. The vibe and energy that Italian cities once possessed has been replaced with fear and grief.

In this unprecedented time, it is normal to expect panic and hysteria but kindness in these dark moments has restored my belief in humanity. Instead of hoarding groceries, people only take enough for maybe a week or two for their family. Instead of going insane inside their homes, people have come out onto their balconies and sung together to support each other.

Instead of self-preservation, some elderly folk have willingly surrendered their ventilators for younger, sick patients. Despite the distance, family and friends have found ways to support each other across miles. Despite the huge economic impact, they have chosen to prioritise saving lives.

Pope Francis asked us to be resourceful and apply the “creativity of love” during this crisis. In my humble opinion, this is exactly what many are doing without even knowing it. Our existing situation has naturally manifested the genuine goodness in everyone.

_{Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash}