THE IMPACT OF DANDAL KURA RADIO’S HUMANITARIAN REPORTING ON FLOOD VICTIMS IN MAIDUGURI

ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of Dandal Kura Radio’s humanitarian reporting on flood victims in Maiduguri, Borno State. The study was guided by four major objectives: to determine the level of access flood victims have to Dandal Kura Radio, to examine the types of humanitarian content aired during flood disasters, to evaluate the influence of such reporting on the response of humanitarian agencies, and to assess how the information contributes to the recovery and resilience of flood victims. A survey design was used, and the population comprised flood victims in Maiduguri. A structured questionnaire was administered to 200 participants, with 186 valid responses retrieved. The findings showed that a majority of flood victims had access to radio devices and regularly tuned in to Dandal Kura Radio during the flood. Respondents confirmed that the station aired a range of humanitarian content, including early warnings, evacuation information, relief distribution updates, and government and NGO announcements. Many respondents believed that the radio reports influenced the activities of humanitarian agencies and contributed to timely interventions. The findings also indicated that the information received helped victims understand risks better, access relief materials, and recover more quickly, thereby enhancing their overall resilience. The discussion further connected these findings to existing literature, concluding that Dandal Kura Radio plays a vital role in emergency communication and humanitarian coordination. The study concludes that Dandal Kura Radio significantly contributes to the dissemination of timely and relevant humanitarian information during flood disasters in Maiduguri. Major recommendations were; Dandal Kura Radio should increase the frequency of safety and survival tips to better equip communities with practical knowledge during floods; humanitarian agencies should establish stronger partnerships with the station to ensure coordinated and timely dissemination of emergency information and the radio station should expand its coverage to reach more remote communities that may be disproportionately affected during disasters.