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IT & Telecom
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Disaster Response
Public Health in Emergencies
 

IT & Telecom

When disaster strikes, communication systems may collapse or quickly become congested, preventing people from communicating with their families or rescue organisations from offering immediate response. Just as food, water and medicine are essential for saving lives; communication becomes indispensable for fast and effective humanitarian response.

In a rescue operation, assessing the scope of the disaster, risks and needs of people is vital for ensuring an effective and immediate response to alleviate human suffering. Effective communications saves lives.

The fast exchange of information after re-establishing communication systems enables rescue organisations such as the Red Cross to identify affected zones and mobilise the resources required for an immediate response. PADRU has pre-positioned and distributed among the Red Cross National Societies the following equipment:

  • 1,740 cellular phones
  • 10 satellite phones
  • 45 VHF and 4 HF radios
  • GSM container

    The GSM container pre-positioned in Panama serves as the base for operating the above equipment, as part of the agreement between Ericsson and the International Federation through the Ericsson Response ™ programme.

    Under this alliance, a telecommunications network is being implemented in the Caribbean, linking the National Societies and overseas branches. Moreover, IT & Telecom capability has been developed within PADRU, where the intervention strategy for telecommunications disasters is defined. Likewise, five Red Cross National Societies: Colombian Red Cross Society,

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    Costa Rican Red Cross, Cuban Red Cross Dominican Red Cross, and Panamanian Red Cross have all signed agreements with Ericsson.

    PADRU has prepared 17 equipment modules for personnel deployed in the field. Of this equipment, 5 modules are equipped with specialized IT & Telecom equipment, 2 are for finance and 2 for information. The rest of the modules are prepared for the members of the RIT system. Additionally, four modules have been pre-positioned in three strategic points in the Caribbean.