In September 2004, IRIN Radio Afghanistan together with UNHCR, delivered 50 self-powered radios to Afghan refugees living in remote camps on the outskirts of Chitral, northern Pakistan.

The Freeplay Lifeline radios are designed for group listening. Running on either wind-up or solar power, when fully charged, they are able to play all day in the harshest of rural conditions and climates.

Chitral is one of the most isolated regions in Pakistan. For the Afghan refugees, this isolation has been compounded by years of absence from their homeland. The Lifeline radios will help groups of refugees keep in touch with news of the reconstruction of their country and the world beyond.

At the Doomshugur camp, three radios were given to school teachers and students. A further 12 radios were distributed through family elders in Urghuch camp. A slightly different strategy was used in Kesu, Khairabad and Kalkatak camps, where a total of 36 radios were given to tribal leaders on behalf of groups of 10 or more members.

? UNHCR Afghan refugees in the camps at Chitral

Distribution took place with much fanfare and excitement in schools or other central meeting places. On behalf of each group, a "guardian" signed an agreement in Dari, promising to take care of the radio and ensure that it is accessible to other group members. However, it took much persuasion to encourage the men to include their wives or other women in the listening groups.

The distribution team plans to return to the camps in October to ascertain what programmes the refugees have been listening to and what impact the Lifelines have had on their lives. Based on Chitral's success, IRIN together with UNHCR will distribute a further 900 radios to Afghans living in refugee camps in Pakistan later in the year.

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