Highlights
Needs
- In Chautura Camp, Sindhupalchowk people are reporting a lack of information on relief services, almost no knowledge on how to contact humanitarian organisations, and lack of information on earthquake and monsoon risks and how to respond to them (Internews Assessment, May 15-17).
Barriers to communication include limited access to electricity, limited availability of radio receivers and batteries, illiteracy, lack of information in local languages, and lack of trust in local media.
Communities express a strong preference for face to face communication, due to lack of access to radio and phone, and language and literacy barriers. Agencies must ensure community mobilisers speak local languages.
Communities find radio a useful source of information, but stations need to broadcast community stories, visit remote areas and offer radio repair services.
Lack of communication is having a direct impact on relief distribution in Chautura, as affected communities blocked the road for over 7 hours to force officials to talk to them.
The focus of communications has so far been on the response, but there is a need to ensure communication on earthquake preparedness as well (CwC Working Group).
With the monsoon forecast to arrive from June 5th, communication on preparedness is key.
Agencies are being advised to contact Dalit communities and other indigenous groups who live apart from mainstream settlements directly, to ensure they do not miss out on relief efforts.