Emergency preparedness isn’t just for Boy Scouts, evidenced with the European Commission, through the international NGO Telecoms Sans Frontières, which is training emergency organizations in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). This one year program includes an initial course and a refresher course both taking place near the TSF regional bases in Managua and Bangkok.
The first session was held at the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok from July 19th to the 24th. Beneficiary NGOs are: Concern Worldwide, Oxfam, Action Against Hunger, Islamic Relief Indonesia, YDSA, Plan International, Mercy Malaysia, World Vision, Doctors without Borders, ADPC (Asian Disaster Preparedness Center), Thai Red Cross and Malteser International.
The initial course will then take place from August 2nd to the 7th in Managua. 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.
Within the framework of its collaboration with TSF, the European Commission supports the International Emergency ICT Training Program through its Humanitarian Aid Department with the main objective of improving the quality and effectiveness of humanitarian aid actions, by reinforcing emergency responders’ capacities in telecommunications and information technology.
This program will therefore allow a better coordination among the humanitarian community. The objective is to build a network of humanitarian professionals trained in emergency telecoms, able to coordinate their efforts and increase the impact of emergency response.
The training will directly benefit humanitarian organizations active in the regions of Central America, the Caribbean and South-East Asia, and indirectly touch many other emergency responders through partnerships and information sharing. The trainees (20 in Managua and 20 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 will be 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 will acquire the skills and know-how required to establish quick and reliable Internet connections, phone and fax lines in the field. TSF experts will 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 a forum available on the web portal. Continued technical support will be offered by TSF and all relevant technical material and related documents will be available on the web portal.
As a result of an increase in efficiency among emergency responders, humanitarian action in the field will reach affected populations to a greater extent.
