Télécoms Sans Frontières

Rapid response telecommunications centers

Civilian calling program

Long-Term Emergency and Emergency Prevention

TSF: The Leading NGO SpecializingIn Emergency Telecommunications

Telecom is essential for core humanitarian response activities: logistics, advocacy, security

Telecom failures undermine response◦ Major switches/routers serving the region often damaged◦ Cell towers may survive, but suffer from overload and

dependence on damaged wired infrastructure for backhaul

Existing networks even if they survive may not be optimized for services needed at site◦ Significant increase in mobile phone traffic needs to be served◦ First responders need access to data services

The Challenge:Saving lives after a disaster

Our goal: to provide telecommunications services essential for the effective functioning of the humanitarian community in emergencies

Preperation before the emergency: Framework for UN/Private sector

operational collaboration◦ Agreements with OCHA and UNICEF

◦ Agreement with Vodafone, Inmarsat, Ericcson, AT&T, C&W, PCCW…

Rapid response with predictable service deliverables and timeframes

Pre-positioned resources (staff, equipment, volunteers)

Top-class equipment:

Portable satellite equipment◦ Easy to deploy and very reliable◦ Worldwide coverage

Open source solutions to share the access◦ Open source based wireless access point◦ Customized secure & control access

Future projects◦ WiFi mesh netorks to easily and quickly extend a

wireless network ◦ Voice over IP

The Challenge:Communications after the tsunami

No road access to Meulaboh (100Kms south of Banda Aceh)

TSF arrived by helicopterfrom Banda Aceh

When TSF arrived, only 10 NGOs plus Indonesian Armypresent, no UN

No GSM, no internet

Meulaboh

Sumatra

TSF provided internet and satphone facilities for 1,5 months

Communication facilities used for:◦ Data sharing, needs assessment and transmission

between field crews and headquarters◦ Mobilizing resources (funding process)◦ Coordinating rescue teams in the field ◦ Advocating re crisis needs via transmission of

pictures and reports◦ Ensuring security rules compliance for staff

The Challenge:Communications after the tsunami

Niger is ranked 174th out of 177 nations on the UNDP development index.

Recurrent drought leads to almost permanent food insecurity.

Less than 12% of the drought-risk territory is cultivable .

The Challenge: Food Instability in Niger

Initial emergency deployment:

◦ 2005 food crisis.

◦ 3,000,000 people affected.

◦ TSF supported the local and international relief effort of 30 agencies

Telecom and Food in Niger

With adequate notice and data, government and aid agencies can more effectively act to avoid or address a food crisis in Niger.

◦ Niger’s SAP-powered “Early Warning System:” Data collection and assimilation to empower decision makers.

2005 crisis: No telecom and severe difficulties.

◦ Data on livestock and on agricultural revenues not arriving in time for early warning. Data collected on paper and sent by road, could take weeks or months.

A Communications Challenge

Request for a Long-Term TSF Mission:

◦ Support the National Food Crisis Prevention System.

◦ Build remote telecom centers.

◦ Provide technical support services.

◦ Develop software to enhance the system.

Better Telecom AllowsBetter Decision Making

TSF’s initial efforts to support the system led to the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) funding TSF to stay.

◦ Installed in 12 pilot regions in Niger in 2006.

◦ Extended to 25 regions in 2007.

◦ Extended to 37 regions protecting more than 14 million vulnerable people by 2008.

The Long-Term Mission

Now, instead of on paper, early-warning food data is sent digitally.

◦ Detailed information on livestock and data from agricultural markets reaches decision makers instantly.

◦ 700,000 people benefit from this early warning system.

◦ All sites in “uncommunicative areas:” no GSM, no landline, no internet, hardly any radio.

The Long-Term Mission

Local government staff gather data in collaboration with agricultural and livestock markets SIMA (Système d’Information des Marchés Agricoles) and SIMB (Système d’Information des Marchés du Bétail).

Data derived from local markets all around the country. Each telecom center covers preselected villages, and therefore markets as well.

At each satellite terminal, there is a computer connected to a small data transmitter that then sends the agricultural information to the capital.

Total monthly satellite communications cost: $100. TSF trains local staff and leaves the equipment, and then turns the system over to the local staff, providing maintenance and support from a central location.

Somewhat Tedious Details

Thanks to the World Bank for inviting us.

Thanks to ECHO and the IT Cup Football Tournament for support in Niger and to our many corporate and foundation partners.

Thanks