News Broadcasting
BBC launches humanitarian radio programmes in Iraq
LONDON: In order to help the Iraqis cope with the severe trauma that came with Uncle Sam’s incessant attacks, the BBC World Service Trust will launch a series of programmes to provide the people of Iraq with information on health and security.
The daily programmes, funded by the Department For International Development, will be produced by local journalists trained by the BBC World Service Trust and will be in Arabic.
A lot has been written and said regarding the looting and law and order breakdown in several parts of the country. Through the programmes, the trust is aiming at providing people with guidance on protecting themselves and their families. The programmes will also include personal testimony from Iraqis to help them deal with the trauma of war and its debilitating effect on people trying to rebuild their lives. The programmes will record diaries with Iraqis about their daily lives and encourage them to share their experiences.
An official release informs that in addition to humanitarian information, the programmes will also follow the progress of the United Nations’ agencies and international non government organisations when they return to Iraq. They will highlight the problems arising from the return of up to one million exiled Iraqis to their homeland.
The trust has previously worked in Afghanistan, Somalia and Sierra Leone. In Afghanistan, the trust produced similar programmes in Pashto and Dari during and after the US-led aerial attacks on Afghanistan.
