Photo: USAID Mali/Oumar Doucouré
Repaired dike guarding the village of Diafarabé.
The radio station broadcasted a state of emergency and stayed on air until the community was fully mobilized.
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Results
The radio station has already proved crucial to the safety of the community. Just days after the radio station made its on-air debut, torrential rains fell throughout the day, dumping over 4 inches on Diafarabé — the heaviest rainfall in 30 years. The rainfall was too much for the village’s old dyke. That evening, while most people in town slept, the dyke gave way and water started pouring into the village.
Two young men, witnessing the deluge, alerted the Mayor and rushed to the radio station.
The radio station broadcasted an emergency message and stayed on-air until the community was fully mobilized. Immediately, cattle were moved to higher ground to prevent drowning. Working throughout the night, villagers struggled to rebuild the dike and hold back the Niger river from destroying their village and jeopardizing countless lives.
The next morning, neighboring villagers who were alerted by the broadcast the night before provided help on the dyke’s reconstruction. Mali’s extensive radio system is one of the best
in Africa. As Diafarabé proves - information is not only educational, it has the
potential to save lives.
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