ARCATA, CALIF.: Internews, an international organization that promotes local newsgathering around the world, has deployed a team to Haiti. The group includes media specialists and radio technicians who will assess the extent of damage to Haiti’s media infrastructure.
The 7.0 Mw magnitude earthquake that struck Jan. 12 damaged the electrical grid and communications systems in Port-au-Prince, the capital, making it difficult to get information to citizens. The Internews rapid response team is taking broadcast equipment that can quickly be used to broadcast emergency information. Internews previously used this type of portable broadcasting equipment in Banda Aceh after the 2004 tsunami.
Internews said it recently completed a project in Haiti involving 40 community radio stations. The MacArthur Foundation and other donors are providing funding for the Internews relief effort.
