In every humanitarian crisis, in addition to medical and food aid, there is a critical need for reliable telecommunications services for civilians and relief workers. The European Commission, through its Humanitarian Aid Department, supports relief activities for vulnerable people in crisis zones around the world. TSF is using its experience as the first NGO specializing in telecommunications to build the capacity of other aid agencies to deploy telecommunications equipment in the field. TSF has realized dozens of projects in partnership with the European Commission in the areas of emergency response, early warning and capacity building.
This ICT Emergency Response Training is a one year program. A similar 5-day course will take place early next year near the TSF regional base in Bangkok. The training will directly benefit humanitarian organizations active in the regions of Latin America, in particular South America, and Central Asia, and indirectly touch many other emergency responders through partnerships and information sharing.
The trainees (25 in Managua and 25 in Bangkok) were selected in collaboration with the regional ECHO experts, considering their profile, their technical background and the relevance of their position.
Participating organizations are trained to respond to emergency communication issues in crisis zones. The training program includes emergency environment, an overview of telecom hardware and services available for emergencies, as well as hands-on sessions and a simulation exercise.
They acquire the skills and know-how required to establish quick and reliable Internet connections, phone and fax lines in the field. TSF experts train participants how to use and trouble-shoot various equipment and help each organization find the most adapted and cost effective solution to meet their needs.
Participants will be able to spread the knowledge and skills acquired during the training to their organization and local partners; they will be able to put them into practice in the context of their organization’s activities and to exchange information on telecommunications and on emergency situations thanks to the forum.
Since its creation in 1998, TSF deployed to nearly 60 countries and assisted more than 550 relief organizations and hundreds of thousands of victims. TSF is partner of the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO). In 2006, TSF became a partner of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). TSF was designated “First Emergency Telecoms Responder” within the United Nations Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC). Télécoms Sans Frontières is also a working group member of the United Nations emergency telecoms body (WGET) and a member of the International Council of Voluntary Agencies.