BBC launches new radio programme for Haiti

The new 20-minute daily programme in Creole is called Connexion Haiti.

It contains the latest information about aid and rescue operations, plus messages from people trying to locate family members and other useful, practical information for the survivors of the earthquake.

This will be the first time the BBC has broadcast in the Haitian national language.

It follows other special BBC programming for listeners affected by the Haitian disaster in the French, Spanish and English languages.

Connexions Haiti is broadcast between 9.10 and 9.30 Haiti time (14.10 to 14.30 GMT).

Listen to Connexion Haiti

The BBC is expecting that the programme will also be available on the local FM network via the BBC’s partner station, Radio Lumiere, when it returns to air.

It's also offered to other BBC Caribbean partner stations in the region, especially those in Caribbean countries with large Haitian communities.

Peter Horrocks, BBC World Service Director, said: 'We believe our new service in the Creole language will be a vital source of trusted information to Haitians at this time of crisis, as well as to the rescue and aid teams who are working so hard on the ground.

'We have had lots of positive feedback that our broadcasts in English, French and Spanish have been appreciated on the ground.'

BBC World Service continues to offer special programmes about the crisis in Spanish and English, between 12.00 and 13.00 GMT on shortwave on 11860 kHz and 9410 kHz.

BBC Caribbean – the English-language service for the region - is also supporting audiences in Haiti and the wider region with crucial information.

The service’s Twitter updates (@bbccaribbean), dedicated to Haiti as well as ongoing coverage of the wider Caribbean and Haitian diaspora reaction to the tragedy, is also available on this website.