As long as there is conflict, devastation, emergencies and more Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) makes an effort to assist the victims with communications. This last week TSF began humanitarian calling operations in Matanda, a transit camp situated 30 kms from the Congolese border where an estimated 10,000 people are sheltered.

The team also installed a satellite based Internet connection for aid agencies in Kihihi, a small town turned into a humanitarian base camp 30 minutes from Matanda. At present, aid organizations such as UNHCR, Unicef, WFP, MSF, Oxfam, Save the Children or ACF are working to provide help to those who have lost everything after fleeing the combats in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

In less than a week, over 15,000 more Congolese refugees crossed into Uganda bringing the total number of refugees from the recent combats to almost 60,000. Initially located in Ishasha right at the border, the refugees were quickly moved as Nkunda rebels were approaching.

This necessitated the move to a more secure location, but close enough to DRC so that those who wanted to go back home had the option. Uganda authorities and aid organizations have offered one month to the refugees to decide if they want to be transferred to Nakivale where land can be allocated to them, or if they prefer, to return home. This timeframe could be extended if needed but the living conditions in Kihihi are very difficult. Refugees are facing daily heavy rains and some still do not have shelter.

In the meantime, humanitarian organizations are trying to meet the immediate needs such as shelter, food, water, medical care, latrines and safety of a sudden and massive influx of refugees. You can see by the photos that shelters consist of structures made of hay bales, covered by a piece of cloth. Communications also play an essential role particularly in family reunion and in mental support.  

Because many families have been separated it is crucial to recreate a link between those in Matanda and their relatives in Nakivale or in DRC. Those calling want to know if some members have already been transferred to Nakivale, are still in DRC, in other parts of Uganda, or even still alive. TSF is trying to ease the pain of those who have been left without any news, be it good or bad, for weeks.

Many refugees have walked for days before reaching Uganda. When they arrive in Matanda, they are registered by UNHCR and its implementing partners. Each family is given a blue “Family Card” giving access to food, water and other vital distributions. As you see in the pictures, when registering at TSF each family presents its blue card and is given a voucher to make a call anywhere in the world.  

In a single day, more than 120 families were able to contact a loved one with over 70 percent of calls to DRC. The lines are so long, that sometimes they have to wait for two hours. The TSF team is composed of Ugandan and Congolese volunteers. Ugandans and Congolese have common languages, but since Uganda is an English speaking country and DRC French speaking, mixed teams facilitate TSF’s operations. Many refugees are also more at ease when being taken care of by their compatriots. It also enables TSF to involve its beneficiaries in the program.

Once TSF has covered the camp of Matanda, the team will head for Nakivale to continue offering this crucial link to a maximum number of families. TSF will also make sure aid agencies also have the necessary communications and technical support to facilitate their work.