HAITI Media and Telecoms Landscape Guide - Infoasaid

166Voilà allowed IFRC to use its systems that track communications traffic by tower.This enabled the Red Cross to target SMS messages at geographically relevantareas, rather than the entire network.The IFRC now uses TERA to deliver information in response to a wide range ofemergency situations and collect data.TERA played a vital role in the response to cholera. Its broadcast SMS messagesprovided information about symptoms, prevention and treatment to Voilà subscribersthroughout the country within minutes. They also alerted them to a toll-freeinformation line which provided further information about cholera.The IFRC and Voilà set up of a toll-free automated information line accessed throughthe short code *733.This provided recorded information on various topical issues, such as preparing forthe hurricane season, services for rape survivors, cholera awareness, andinformation about IFRC’s shelter programme.In the first six months of 2011, more than 128,000 people called the IFRCinformation line.Meanwhile, the US-based media development organisation Internewswww.internews.org used SMS messages to gather information from the public for itsdaily radio programme aimed at earthquake survivors.Between January 2010 and May 2012, Internews produced Enfomasyon Nou Dwekönnen (News You Can Use) a daily programme which was broadcast by around 30radio stations. It was widely known by the acronym ENDK.One of the regular slots on the show was called Mailbox. This invited listeners to askquestions by SMS.The ENDK newsroom received an average 60 questions per day by SMS inresponse to Mailbox. Half of them concerned health issues.166