Nine Irish independent radio stations have banded together to support coverage of the important international issues of drought and flooding, challenges which have long caused major disruption and hardship in the developing world, and which are increasingly impacting Ireland and Europe.

The independent stations decided to dispatch an experienced news reporter to cover the impact of climate change in the Horn of Africa.

Reporter Lynsey Dolan is going travel to Somaliland, a country in north-eastern Africa, in early October and will provide coverage for a week to all of the stations which will resonate with listeners.

Somaliland is a semi-arid region, having experienced extended drought in recent years, as well as flooding.  Areas that the reporter will see in Somaliland include climate-smart agricultural techniques such as distributing drought-resistant seeds and tools, building dams, repairing gullies, harvesting rainwater, and work to limit damage when the floods arrive.

The visit is being co-ordinated with humanitarian organisation Concern.  Concern’s Richard Nunn said:  “Concern is working with these communities to help them adapt as the impact of climate change continues to intensify.  Our work includes climate-smart agriculture, supporting communities to access water, including rainwater harvesting and resilience building. We are currently working with communities to prepare for El Niño and to protect farmland from the devastating floods if and when they arrive.”

“We warmly welcome the opportunity which this visit presents to explain to Irish radio listeners the scale of the challenge which climate change poses and the measures that can be taken to help those impacted by it.”

Lynsey Dolan is highly experienced in covering Irish and international issues.  She works as a broadcaster with Newstalk, Today FM and Network News in Ireland, and has in the past covered issues in Africa.

Lynsey commented:  “Droughts and flooding are very important issues for those affected in Somaliland and it is great that listeners to the nine stations will be able to hear first-hand details from people on the ground.”

The stations participating in this initiative are Midlands 103, Midwest Radio, KCLR 96FM, Radio Kerry, Radio Nova, Ireland’s Classic Hits, Shannonside Northern Sound, South East Radio and WLR FM.  The stations are all Members of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland.  Independent radio stations have a massive listenership reach in Ireland, and provide extensive public service content.