During epidemics or cyclones, officials turn to local radio stations to disseminate vital health information. Saeed Al Batati for The National.
During epidemics or cyclones, officials turn to local radio stations to disseminate vital health information. Saeed Al Batati for The National.
During epidemics or cyclones, officials turn to local radio stations to disseminate vital health information. Saeed Al Batati for The National.
During epidemics or cyclones, officials turn to local radio stations to disseminate vital health information. Saeed Al Batati for The National.

A revolution on the airwaves: after Al Qaeda, radio in Yemen's Mukalla is experiencing a renaissance


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When Al Qaeda stormed the city of Mukalla in Yemen's south-eastern province of Hadramout in April 2015, there were two community radio stations: one government-run, and the other a private health radio called Salamatik. Those stations were shut down during Al Qaeda's year-long reign over the city.

But much has changed in the three years since the city was liberated, and one of the most important transformations has happened on the airwaves. A total of 12 radio stations now operate in Mukalla, reaching thousands of listeners across the city and further afield, in the coastal areas of the province.

Muna Hassan, a fresh media graduate, works at health community radio Salamatk. Saeed Al Batati for The National
Muna Hassan, a fresh media graduate, works at health community radio Salamatk. Saeed Al Batati for The National

Journalists at those stations say their programmes mean they can spread awareness about vital issues such as education and disease, and prepare locals for destructive cyclones that often hit Yemen's coastal areas.

Located in a 24-square-metre room in downtown Mukalla, Nama was established in June 2016, two months after Al Qaeda was ousted from the city.

Majedi Bazyad, the radio's manager, is proud of the organisation, boasting that they broke the "one voice policy" the state-run radio station had dictated for the five decades it monopolised the airwaves. "Nama has not only attracted a large number of listeners, but has become a training centre for dozens of budding journalists," Bazyad says, adding that the station primarily appeals to the city's young people, and has given them a platform to discuss their daily worries.

Majedi Bazyad, centre, the manager of Nama radio station, with two of his journalists. He says community radios in Al Mukallah have played a critical role in spreading important information about diseases. Saeed Al Batati for The National
Majedi Bazyad, centre, the manager of Nama radio station, with two of his journalists. He says community radios in Al Mukallah have played a critical role in spreading important information about diseases. Saeed Al Batati for The National

However, three years after its inception, the room that hosts the station reflects the difficulties it is facing. There is no soundproof booth and a female broadcaster is speaking near a noisy door, as the editor, Bazyad, sits in the same room with an audio mixer engineer and other journalists. "We have been moving from one place to another over the last three years due to financial problems," Bazyad tells me. "At the beginning, I asked for financial help from the former governor of Hadramout to build the radio. I worked with five journalists. The broadcast schedule lasted for three hours."

But annoyed by the radio's criticism of the state, the governor cut off the financial subsidies and Bazyad was forced to consider closing down the station.

In the end, a much-needed bail out came from an international organisation, which Bazyad preferred not to name.

"[They] agreed to come to the aid of Nama when they heard about our role in spreading awareness in society," he says.

Salah Al Amari, Salamatik's manager, says his radio is in need of funding to replace the radio’s current FM transmitter with a bigger one that would cover the entire coastal area of Hadramout.
Salah Al Amari, Salamatik's manager, says his radio is in need of funding to replace the radio’s current FM transmitter with a bigger one that would cover the entire coastal area of Hadramout.

The fund is being used to pay for the building rental, which has increased each year, and 10 journalists who keep the radio on air from 8am to 2pm daily. But for Bazyad to expand the radio's coverage and broadcast hours, he needs at least a further 300,000 Yemeni rials (Dh4,401) per month, and a new FM radio transmitter.

But Nama is just one example of an increasing number of radio stations that have emerged in Mukalla over the past three years. One reason for the rapid growth in new stations is the peace and tranquillity that residents of Mukalla and other neighbouring cities have enjoyed since UAE-backed Yemeni troops ousted Al Qaeda militants in April 2016. It has also become cheaper to establish a new station, thanks to new affordable Chinese transmitters and easier licensing procedures.

During the heyday of Yemen's former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, journalists were asked to send their licence application to Sanaa. Most of them were rejected. "They just simply tell you: 'we cannot allow you to set up a radio. It is a sovereign decision,'" Bazyad tells me. But now, local journalists can apply for a licence at the provincial office of the Ministry of Information in Mukalla, and get their application approved within a short period of time.

Community radios in Al Mukallah discuss in their daily shows issues like skyrocketing fish prices, long power cuts, underage marriage and shortage of fuel. Saeed Al Batati for the National.
Community radios in Al Mukallah discuss in their daily shows issues like skyrocketing fish prices, long power cuts, underage marriage and shortage of fuel. Saeed Al Batati for the National.

Suher Saleh, a journalist at Nama, has been presenting a live programme for the past three years. She feels indebted to the radio for honing her skills and putting her in touch with listeners. "Without Nama, I would not have been known to the public. Working here is enjoyable. We spread peace, love and happiness," she tells The National.

Not far from Nama, Salamatik is another community radio station playing a role in disseminating health messages to the public. Salamtik is Arabic for "hope you feel better". Established in 2013 by the Hadramout Cancer Foundation, an NGO funded by local charities, Salamatik enjoys slightly better facilities than Nama.

There's a soundproof booth and a small room for mixing, editing and recording, there is also a separate room for recording interviews. Salah Al Amari, Salamatik's manager and a former director of the province's office of the Ministry of Information, says the radio focuses on spreading messages on health, education and development through its broadcasting time of 4pm to 8pm.

"We aim to promote awareness about cancer and drugs, innovations and local traditions," Al Amari says. Like Nama, Salamatik has trained dozens of local university journalism graduates. "We trained 75 journalists in 2018 and 2019," he says proudly. "Those journalists are now anchors at Hadramout TV and other media outlets."

In October, Salamatik will extend its broadcasting times to include five more hours in the morning, to extensively cover activities related to the annual breast cancer awareness campaign. But the station isn't without its struggles, and more funding would always be welcome, to improve the quality and quantity of what is being produced.

How green is the expo nursery?

Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery

An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo

Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery

Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape

The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides

All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality

Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country

Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow

Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site

Green waste is recycled as compost

Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs

Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers

About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer

Main themes of expo is  ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.

Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months

The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X

Price, as tested: Dh84,000

Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: Six-speed auto

Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km

MATCH INFO

Northern Warriors 92-1 (10 ovs)

Russell 37 no, Billings 35 no

Team Abu Dhabi 93-4 (8.3 ovs)

Wright 48, Moeen 30, Green 2-22

Team Abu Dhabi win by six wickets

Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Rating: 2/5
 
BRIEF SCORES:

Toss: Nepal, chose to field

UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23

Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17

Result: UAE won by 21 runs

Series: UAE lead 1-0

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