Community Radio Toolkit

Montreal, 1 March, 2010. AMARC, the World Association of Community Radio
Broadcasters, expresses its solidarity with the people of Chile and its
condolences to those who have lost family and friends in the earthquake
of 27 February 2010. Steve Buckley, President of AMARC, said: “We are
shocked to hear news of another devastating earthquake in the Americas.
We stand ready to assist in any way possible.”

AMARC’s Latin America and Caribbean regional office (AMARC-ALC) is
leading AMARC’s international response, working with AMARC’s country
representative and members in Chile. Chile has an extensive network of
community radio stations throughout the country many of which are
members of AMARC. Most of the stations remain on air and are providing
news and advice.

Maria Pia Matta of Radio Tierra, Santiago, and Vice President of AMARC
for the Latin America and Caribbean region, reported that the
destruction had been greatest in the South of the country. The worst
situation is in Concepción, in the Juan Fernandez Island, but most of
all in the El Maule Region. Radio Tierra remains on the air in Santiago
and is carrying updates on FM and the Internet.

Natacha Gomez Barahona of La Radioneta and AMARC Country Representative,
reported that community radios in Valparaiso and the surrounding region
had not been badly affected but electricity supply had been unstable,
hampering access to news media and communications.

A first priority for AMARC-ALC and the community radio sector in Chile
is to assess the status of community radios and their staff in the most
severely affected regions - Maule and Biobio. It has been difficult to
obtain accurate information due to the collapse of the local electricity
and communications infrastructure. Some of the worst hit communities are
also in isolated and hard to reach locations. AMARC is prepared to
mobilise practical solidarity and assistance where this is most needed.

-ends-

Further information:

International Focal Point
Ernesto Lamas, Regional Coordinator
AMARC-Latin America and Caribbean
Email: elamas@rcc.com.ar <mailto:elamas@rcc.com.ar>
Tel: +54 1148673806 / +54 1148657554

Country Focal Point
AMARC Country Representative - Chile
Natacha Gomez Barahona, Director
La Radioneta 88.9fm Valparaiso
Email: info@laradioneta.cl <mailto:info@laradioneta.cl>
Tel: +56 93440988
http://www.laradioneta.cl <http://www.laradioneta.cl/>

Other contacts
Maria Pia Matta, AMARC Vice President
Radio Tierra, Santiago de Chile
Email: mattacerna@gmail.com <mailto:mattacerna@gmail.com>
http://www.radiotierra.cl/

Marcelo Solervicens, Secretary General
AMARC International
Email: secgen@si.amarc.org <mailto:secgen@si.amarc.org>
http://www.amarc.org