The United Nations radio service in Haiti has begun “earthquake preparedness” broadcasts as fears mount about a possible second major quake, which many locals believe could be bigger than the first one that devastated Port-au-Prince. Minustah FM, the UN-run Haitian radio service which lost two journalists during the quake on 12 January, is also now transmitting on a special frequency to reach hundreds of thousands of slum-dwellers who are too scared to sleep in their houses and have set up camp on the streets.The radio service is one of the only means of communicating with jittery city residents in the wake of one of the worst natural disasters in living memory. The UN this week warned of likely future large earthquakes in Haiti. So far about 50 aftershocks have rattled Port-au-Prince and several outlying towns, causing further damage and widespread panic.
Residents are now so nervous that Minustah FM is planning to broadcast psychological services, according to station producer Breuil Munganga. She said the high number of earthquake queries had also prompted special programmes on what to do before and during earthquakes.
(Source: www.timeslive.co.za/ R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)
