Malakal – September 30, 2025
The Community Engagement Network (CEN), through its humanitarian radio initiative NILE FM, has distributed 100 solar-powered radios in Malakal under the WFP-funded project Strengthening Accountability to Affected Populations, implemented in partnership with Concern Worldwide.
The distribution targeted refugees, returnees, host communities, women, and persons with disabilities across six key locations: the Protection of Civilians (PoC) site, Way Station, State Garden, Daniel Comboni 1 and 2 IDP camps, and Malakal town. These locations were selected because they are focal points for CEN’s feedback collection and listening group meetings.
Beneficiaries were chosen from active NILE FM listeners, including community members who regularly attend listening groups and call into live programs. To ensure fairness, those who had received radios in previous distributions were not included. In total, 11 radios were allocated specifically to persons with disabilities.
“This radio will help me listen to the news and programs. It is very good because I can carry it with me while using my wheelchair,” said a 47-year-old recipient from Way Station IDP camp.
The radios equipped with solar charging, torches, and phone-charging capability are providing vulnerable families with access to life-saving information on health, protection, food assistance, and other services. They also support collective listening, ensuring that even those without a radio can stay informed.
At Daniel Comboni 1 IDP camp, tensions arose when unregistered individuals demanded inclusion in the beneficiary list. CEN’s team, in collaboration with camp leaders, clarified the limited allocation and engaged residents in dialogue. A consensus was reached: radios would be distributed to only one member per household to prevent duplication and maximize reach. This solution ensured that the exercise was completed smoothly and equitably.
Beneficiaries expressed appreciation to CEN, WFP, and Concern Worldwide for the high-quality devices. “I know WFP is helping us with food rations, but this time we thank them for supporting us with radios. These radios will enable my family to access important radio programs,” said a 42-year-old woman from State Garden IDP camp.
As part of the exercise, CEN/NILE FM correspondents trained beneficiaries on how to use and maintain the radios. User manuals were provided in simple language to ensure understanding.. They also informed beneficiaries that the distribution was part of the broader Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) project, aimed at improving two-way communication between humanitarian actors and affected communities.
The solar-powered radios distributed in Malakal represent far more than material support; they are tools of empowerment, inclusion, and survival. By connecting refugees, returnees, women, PWDs, and host communities to life-saving humanitarian information, CEN and its partners are not only amplifying community voices but also strengthening accountability and resilience in times of uncertainty.
While 100 families benefited this round, demand for radios remains high. CEN recommends scaling up future distributions to reach more listeners who continue to depend on radio as their most reliable and accessible source of humanitarian information.
