Radio Ergo

Radio Ergo supports a network of local correspondents across Somalia, in refugee camps, and in other places with significant Somali populations. These 25 or more Somali correspondents are trained and equipped to report from their local areas on humanitarian issues of importance to the community. According to IMS Productions, Radio Ergo broadcasts across the whole of Somalia and the region on shortwave, filling the gap in the absence of national Somali public service media and ensuring that the programmes are heard by the significant communities not served by local FM stations. Radio Ergo also has 11 partner radios that rebroadcast the Radio Ergo material.

As part of its service to Somali radio listeners, Radio Ergo has launched a weekly roundup of livestock prices gathered from 18 of the most important markets around Somalia and the region. The livestock sector is central to the economic and cultural life of the Somali people. A large proportion of Somalis, directly or indirectly, live from the earnings of small or medium-scale livestock rearing. Knowing the market prices of camels and goats, and recent trends, enables herders to make important decisions about when and where to sell their animals, and may help them make more money for their families.

Radio Ergo gathers market prices from local chambers of commerce, where possible, and from the livestock sellers themselves. The data gathered includes prices for different grades of camels and goats, numbers of head of livestock sold, and the conditions or grade of the animals. The prices are broadcast on the radio on Fridays and published on the Radio Ergo website.

Radio Ergo uses multimedia options to reach as many different Somali constituencies as possible. The Radio Ergo website contains original text reports with photographs, video, feedback, and audio streaming and downloads of the radio programmes. For the growing numbers of Somalis with mobile phone access, Radio Ergo has developed a Radio Ergo mobile site as well as an Android phone application.

Access to Information, Livelihoods

Radio Ergo works with United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations through various forums to collaborate on strategic communications with Somali communities and to develop content for programming. Radio Ergo provides a common service to the humanitarian community and seeks to forge links to strengthen the cycle of information between agencies and Somali communities.