The management of The Radio Community, which runs Akol Yam 91 FM, is urgently appealing for support to bring the station back on air after its 72-meter transmission mast was destroyed by a thunderstorm in Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal.
On Sunday, a strong thunderstorm brought
down the mast of Akol Yam FM, a local language community radio station. The station is a crucial lifeline for
thousands across Northern Bahr el Ghazal and neighboring areas.
“One of the guy wires snapped, and in a heart-wrenching
moment, the mast crumpled twisting into broken sections and crashing onto
nearby Tukuls. Miraculously, no one was hurt,” said Chris Marol, the Chief
Executive Officer of The Radio Community.
“But the mast, the very heartbeat of Akol Yam FM was
destroyed.”
For years, Akol Yam 91FM has functioned as a trusted companion, delivering independent news, humanitarian
updates, health information, civic education, and peacebuilding messages to a
region where radio is often the only reliable source of information.
Akol Yam 91 FM serves over half a million listeners,
including vulnerable communities and refugees, many of whom live in areas with
no internet or television access.
“Without Akol Yam FM, these communities are plunged into an
information blackout left without guidance, connection, or trusted updates,”
Marol said.
According to Chris Marol, the collapse of the mast didn’t
just end programming, it severed a critical link for remote villages depending
on broadcast communication, ongoing civic education and peace efforts,
lifesaving health alerts and humanitarian messages and emergency updates during
conflict or disaster
To rebuild, restore, and return to the airwaves, Akol Yam
91FM requires close to $200,000 to get back on air.
“This is a call to all partners, friends of free and
independent media, humanitarian agencies, and anyone who believes in the power
of trusted information, your support will help reconnect half a million people
to the stories, programs, and messages they rely on,” Marol added.
The funds will be used to Procure and install a new 72-meter
mast Purchase a new 8-way antenna system, RF cables, and tower lighting,
reinforce the mast foundation to withstand future storms, reconnect broadcast
systems and safety gear, train local technical teams in emergency response and
maintenance.
Donation information
To support the rebuilding of Akol Yam FM's transmission mast, funds can be sent through The Radio Community's bank account at Ecobank South Sudan, the parent organization that manages Akol Yam FM.
Banking Details:
Bank Name: Ecobank South Sudan Limited
Account Number: 6940014697
Account Name: The Radio Community
SWIFT Code: ECOCSSJB
Payment Reference: Please use "Akol Yam FM Mast Rebuild Support" as payment reference.
Contact information:
Phone: +211927002737
Email: contact@theradiocommunity.org
