BBC Nepali earthquake lifeline public chat channel on Viber

• Quake has left thousands dead and many more injured or displaced
• Channel offers daily updates in text and images, lifeline public service info

A BBC Nepali channel has been launched on the instant messaging and calling app Viber, to deliver public service and emergency information in Nepalese and English.
 
The service, produced by BBC Nepali in collaboration with the BBC’s international development charity, BBC Media Action and BBC Monitoring, is aimed at those affected by the devastating earthquake, in the region or elsewhere in the world, Viber said in a statement.
 
The BBC Nepali account viber.com/bbcnepali on the ‘Public Chats’ feature within Viber will help maximise the reach of vital information in the aftermath of the quake that has left thousands dead and many more injured or displaced, the company said.
 
The channel offers daily updates in text and images, with lifeline public service information on the latest situation in the country, including details of relief efforts, rescue services and safety information, it added. 
 
“It’s vital that we do all we can to get potentially life-saving and critical information to all those affected by the earthquake, across all the platforms at our disposal,” said BBC World Service controller of languages Liliane Landor.
 
“Our partnership with Viber will allow us to reach many of these people directly through their mobile phones.”
 
In response to the aftermath of the earthquake in Nepal, BBC World Service is broadcasting news and additional ‘lifeline’ programming on FM and shortwave in Nepalese (11995, 15510, 9650 and 5895 kHz) and in English (5895 and 9540 kHz).
 
BBC Media Action is working with BBC Nepali and local partner radio stations in Nepal to broadcast the BBC’s special ‘lifeline’ programming.
 
The BBC Nepali radio programming is available for listening via the website, bbcnepali.com, on BBC 103FM in Kathmandu (which also airs BBC World Service’s global English radio programming) and via more than 260 FM stations across the country. More information is also available on BBC Nepali Facebook page.
 
BBC Nepali is part of BBC World Service.
 
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