Telecoms Aid Charity Still Working in Earthquake Hit Indonesia

­The telecoms focused disaster relief charity, Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) has provided an update on its work in the earthquake hit regions in Indonesia. On September 30th, a 7.6 earthquake struck West Sumatra, affecting more than 3.3 million people. A second quake hit Jambi on October 1st, exacerbating the ongoing situation. More than 1.1 million people were affected.

Reacting to those emergencies, a TSF team of specialists in emergency telecommunications deployed to Padang on October 2nd to provide communications support in the affected areas.

As soon as TSF's experts arrived on site, they concentrated their efforts on providing assistance to rescue teams, making sure they had sufficient communication means to respond to the disaster and communicate. TSF's emergency evaluations and supportive actions facilitated and empowered aid coordination in the field.

On October 2nd, the whole humanitarian community (agencies of the UN, BNPB, NGOs, local authorities) was staying at the Governor's House, the main coordination centre in Padang, to work and coordinate their actions. No internet connection was available. TSF's crew deployed an emergency connection thanks to mobile satellite data transmitters, and enabled situation reports, maps, and all indispensable information to be sent rapidly. TSF also provided support to the NGO Airputih to install and configure a fixed satellite services technology, and decided to make available a Wi-Fi access for the entire coordination centre, thanks to a router. IT support and connectivity are still providing in the main coordination centre.

Using mobile satellite communications tools, TSF set up satellite connections at a food distribution centre in Padang where local authorities were also working, as well as at the Central Hospital El Jamil. It enabled the staff there to work more efficiently and coordinate with Jakarta, helping in particular the evacuation of the injured.

Since its arrival in Padang, TSF has conducted several telecoms assessments, then providing crucial feedback on telecommunications requirements to the aid agencies so that necessary support can be arranged. TSF evaluated the needs for emergency telecommunications in Padang city. They will assess the telecom situation in two other cities: Pesirir Selatan and Agan.

Assessments are continuing in Pariaman and in Padang Pariaman district, as well as in Nagari Sungai Asam and Gunuang Padang Alai, to determine the needs of the populations in telecommunication services and conduct calling operations. TSF's objective is indeed also to run humanitarian calling operations so that those affected can give news to their family and ask for personalized assistance.

As of October 7th, the team is running calling operations in remote and vulnerable villages - which enables locals to contact friends/relatives, and reassure them of their situation.

On the web: Télécoms Sans Frontières

Posted to the site on 8th October 2009