<p itxtvisited="1">
<span class=first-letter itxtvisited="1">P</span>akistan is flooding. People are dying
and being displaced. Food aid distribution is lagging.
<br>
But can they make phone calls?
</p>
<p itxtvisited="1">
An unusual question, perhaps. But a crucial one, nonetheless.
</p>
<p itxtvisited="1">
You see, the United Nations has a division -- the International Telecommunications
Union (ITU) -- that is responsible for rushing into disaster zones to help resurrect
vital telecom infrastructure that has been destroyed. Why is that important?
</p>
<p itxtvisited="1">
We're not talking about allowing people to engage in idle gossip at steep monthly
rates.
</p>
<p itxtvisited="1">
<span class=first-letter itxtvisited="1">W</span>e're talking about cellphone towers
losing electricity or falling into crevices, about shifting tectonic plates rupturing
fixed-line phone service, about rooftop antennas in crowded urban areas collapsing
into rubble, about flood waters shutting down power generators to various parts of
a mobile network.
</p>
<p itxtvisited="1">
Without any of this, government agencies can't distribute all the aid your donations
have provided, can't co-ordinate with humanitarian agencies to figure out where the
need for medical services is the greatest and can't, in short, respond to the crisis
properly.
</p>
<p itxtvisited="1">
For citizens, it's even more frightening. During the Haiti earthquake, as with many
disasters, family members didn't know whether their loved ones were alive. People
were texting SOS messages from beneath the rubble -- and having their text messages
join a long queue created by the strained wireless networks (a data backlog situation
that also happened, if you recall, when Sidney Crosby scored his momentous goal for
Team Canada). That's why there's other groups, as well, such as Télécoms Sans Frontières.
</p>
<p itxtvisited="1">
For more in this article please go to: <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/globe-on-technology/food-shelter-phone-service/article1684892/">http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/globe-on-technology/food-shelter-phone-service/article1684892/</a>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/emt/newsroom/aggbug.ashx?id=e311a836-ae3b-447f-a6e3-72f8ea0bd343" /> more...
<div id=PhotoHolder style="WIDTH: 180px"><img title="" src="http://www.un.org/News/dh/photos/2009/23-09-2009itu.jpg" border=1>
<p class=phtocaption>
</p>
</div>
<p>
<span class=fullstory>3 February 2010 – </span><span class=fullstory>Three weeks after
the earthquake in Haiti, the International Telecommunication Union (<a href="http://www.itu.int/en/pages/default.aspx"><strong><font color=#993300>ITU</font></strong></a>),
the United Nations’ oldest agency, is still trying to re-establish reliable telephone
and internet connections in the country, but also has long-term plans to help build
state-of-the-art telecommunication networks there.
</p>
<p>
“We are working with the Haitian Government and operators to put in place telecommunication
infrastructure that could be used for efficient and effective disaster management
and for the general socio-economic development of the country,” Cosmas Zavazava, Chief
of Emergency Telecommunications at the ITU, told the UN News Centre.
<p>
“Our aim is to help Haiti mobilize and deploy different kinds of technologies to mitigate
the impacts of disasters. Reliable telecommunication systems can be complemented with
remote sensing and GIS [geographic information systems] technology. In disaster management,
a hybrid of these technologies is important,” Mr. Zavazava added.
</p>
<p>
<br>
For more information, go to UN News Centre at: <a href="http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33668&Cr=haiti&Cr1">http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33668&Cr=haiti&Cr1</a>
</p>
<p>
>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/emt/newsroom/aggbug.ashx?id=c57b8da3-3a7f-4477-8763-f5db1f7601b9" /> more...
<p>
<strong><em>Phone lines and cell phone towers are among the casualties in Port-au-Prince,
after the worst earthquake in the region in 200 years. The International Telecommunication
Union, the ITU, has announced that it is deploying equipment and experts to establish
emergency telecommunications services in the affected areas. Bissera Kostova spoke
to ITU's Chief of Emergency Telecommunications, Cosmas Zavazava, about the operation.</em></strong>
</p>
<p>
Zavazava: <a href="http://www.itu.int/home/">ITU</a>, as the specialized agency of
the United Nations in providing information and communications technologies has allocated
a budget of slightly over one million US dollars for purposes of deploying telecommunications
resources by way of satellite based solutions, which are capable of providing voice
communications and high speed data, which can be used, of course, for telemedicine
facilities to help the injured and those who are maimed.
</p>
<p>
For more information, go to UN Radio news at: <a href="http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/detail/89075.html">http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/detail/89075.html</a>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/emt/newsroom/aggbug.ashx?id=aac285af-4579-41b1-a4ad-173909336a0f" /> more...
Disaster management, Partnering for Disaster Reduction
Published:
Description:
<p>
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations has teamed up with two leading
global satellite companies in a bid to strengthen emergency communications before
impending natural disasters strike and to save more lives by better coordinating relief
efforts in their aftermath, the UN telecommunications agency announced on Thursday.
</p>
<p>
Inmarsat and Vizada have agreed to donate 70 state-of-the-art
and highly portable satellite devices -- capable of delivering voice and broadband
data wherever disasters take place -- to the International Telecommunications Union
(ITU).
<p>
ITU will receive preferential airtime rates and technical
training support as part of the agreement, the UN agency said. When everything else
fails, satellite communications provides a critical link for humanitarian agencies
and victims.
</p>
<p>
For more information, go to: <span class=247045506-09102009><a title=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-10/09/content_12196498.htm href="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-10/09/content_12196498.htm"><font face=Arial color=#800080>http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-10/09/content_12196498.htm</font></a></span>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/emt/newsroom/aggbug.ashx?id=0b0df727-03f4-48d4-a3a4-dee078d3ef38" /> more...
Disaster management, Partnering for Disaster Reduction
Published:
Description:
<p>
Geneva, 22 May 2008
</p>
<p>
The International Telecommunication Union has deployed 100 satellite terminals to
help restore vital communication links in the aftermath of the severe earthquake that
struck central China on 12 May 2008. The 8.0-magnitude quake in Sichuan province of
China killed more than 40 000 people and injured hundreds of thousands, with many
still missing ten days after the tragedy. The quake, which destroyed infrastructure
and telecommunications lines, disrupted electricity and transport, brought down buildings
and rendered nearly 5 million people homeless, is the country's worst natural disaster
in three decades.<br>
<br>
With the restoration of communication links, designated government officials and other
humanitarian agencies are now able to more efficiently coordinate relief operations.
The mobile satellite terminals are easily transported by road and air to be used both
by humanitarian workers and the victims of this disaster.
</p>
<p>
For more information go to TMCnet at <a href="http://asia.tmcnet.com/news/2008/05/22/3460835.htm">http://asia.tmcnet.com/news/2008/05/22/3460835.htm</a>
<br>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/emt/newsroom/aggbug.ashx?id=37f779c5-8bd5-4b82-8bf6-f5e28361a1b5" /> more...
<p>
22nd May 2008
</p>
<p>
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has deployed 100 satellite phones
to help restore vital communication links in the aftermath of the severe earthquake
that struck central China. The quake, which destroyed infrastructure and telecommunications
lines, disrupted electricity and transport, brought down buildings and rendered nearly
5 million people homeless, is the country's worst natural disaster in three decades.
</p>
<div id=inlineads style="FLOAT: right; WIDTH: 320px">
<div id=beacon_13 style="LEFT: 0px; VISIBILITY: hidden; POSITION: absolute; TOP: 0px"><img style="WIDTH: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px" height=0 alt="" src="http://www.cellular-news.com/adserver/www/delivery/lg.php?bannerid=13&campaignid=2&zoneid=3&channel_ids=,&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cellular-news.com%2Fstory%2F31314.php&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ch%2Fsearch%3Fsourceid%3Dnavclient%26ie%3DUTF-8%26rls%3DGFRC%2CGFRC%3A2007-07%2CGFRC%3Aen%26q%3DITU%2BChina&cb=1c0cc04363" width=0>
</div>
<p>
</p>
</div>
<p>
With the restoration of communication links, designated government officials and other
humanitarian agencies are now able to more efficiently coordinate relief operations.
The mobile satellite terminals are easily transported by road and air to be used both
by humanitarian workers and the victims of this disaster.able to more efficiently
coordinate relief operations. The mobile satellite terminals are easily transported
by road and air to be used both by humanitarian workers and the victims of this disaster.
</p>
<p>
For more information, go to Cellular News at <a href="http://www.cellular-news.com/story/31314.php">http://www.cellular-news.com/story/31314.php</a>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/emt/newsroom/aggbug.ashx?id=993581e5-0889-4ffa-81c6-b1b2ab720042" /> more...
<div id=p_publishtime>May 23, 2008
</div>
<p>
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has deployed 100 satellite terminals
in China to help restore vital communication links in the aftermath of the severe
earthquake that hit on May 12, the UN agency said on Thursday.
<br>
<br>
The 8.0-magnitude quake in the southwest Sichuan province killed tens of thousands
of people and also destroyed infrastructure and telecommunications lines, disrupted
electricity and transport.
<br>
<br>
The mobile satellite terminals are easily transported by road and air to be used both
by humanitarian workers and the victims of this disaster.
<br>
<br>
With the restoration of communication links, designated government officials and other
humanitarian agencies are now able to more efficiently coordinate relief operations,
ITU said in a statement.<br>
</p>
<p>
<strong>For more information, go to People's Daily Online at </strong><a href="http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/6416624.html"><strong>http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/6416624.html</strong></a>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/emt/newsroom/aggbug.ashx?id=528d8608-9a15-4384-83d8-835a74088d6f" /> more...
Disaster management, Partnering for Disaster Reduction
Published:
Description:
<p>
Source: Reliefweb
</p>
<p>
Date: 22 May 2008
</p>
<p>
Emergency health kits capable of providing assistance to 30,000 people for up to one
month have been rushed into the quake-affected areas of Sichuan province in China
by the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO).
</p>
<p>
One hundred satellite terminals have been deployed to provide accurate coordination
of relief and rescue operations by the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU),
as UN aid agencies continue their humanitarian efforts.
<p>
State media report that over 41,000 people lost their lives as a result of the massive
temblor on 12 May, which measured 7.8 on the Richter scale. Some 32,000 people are
missing, while more than 250,000 others have sustained injuries. Roughly 5 million
people have been left homeless.
</p>
<p>
ITU said the 100 mobile satellite terminals they are supplying are easily transported
by road and air and can be used by both humanitarian workers and quake victims.
<p>
‘I would like to assure the Government that ITU is ready to provide expertise in carrying
out telecommunication network damage assessments aimed at paving the way for the rehabilitation
of the damaged telecommunications structure,’ said Sami Al Basheer Al Morshid, Director
of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau.
<p>
The hand-held Thuraya satellite phones use both satellite and GSM networks and can
provide accurate GPS coordinates to support relief and rescue efforts.
</p>
<p>
<strong>For more information, go to Reliefweb at </strong><a href="http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EGUA-7EVNSV?OpenDocument"><strong>http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EGUA-7EVNSV?OpenDocument</strong></a>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/emt/newsroom/aggbug.ashx?id=dc462470-f0b0-45a1-af02-d0b8747e4259" /> more...
<p>
<table class=contentpaneopen>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class=createdate valign=top colspan=2>
Monday, 19 May 2008, 11:38
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=top colspan=2>
<p>
The International Telecommunication Union has deployed 100 satellite terminals to
help restore vital communication links in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis that hit
Myanmar on 2 May with devastating effect in Yangon and the low-lying Irrawaddy delta
region.
</p>
<p>
With the restoration of communication links, designated government officials and other
humanitarian agencies are able to more efficiently coordinate relief operations. The
mobile terminals are easily transported by road and air to be used both by humanitarian
workers and the victims of this disaster.
</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<p>
Tin Htwe, director-general of the Posts & Telecommunications Department of Myanmar,
comments: "In the light of the level of damage caused by Nargis, we warmly welcome
ITU's offer of assistance."<br>
Cosmas Zavazava, chief of ITU's Division for Emergency Telecommunications, says: "In
confronting the global challenge of climate change, we are intensifying our activities
in integrating information and communication technologies in disaster preparedness,
including early warning and disaster relief, so as to save human lives.<br>
"Since July last year, we have provided ICT relief services to the Americas, Africa,
and Asia and Pacific regions." ITU is providing both Thuraya hand-held satellite phones
and Inmarsat Global Area Network (GAN) terminals.<br>
"The Thuraya satellite phones use both satellite and GSM networks and also provide
accurate GPS positioning coordinates to aid relief and rescue. The Inmarsat GAN terminals
are mainly used for voice communications and, for high-speed data. ITU pays for all
expenses, including transportation of the equipment and usage."
</p>
<p>
<strong>For more information, go to IT-Online at </strong><a href="http://it-online.co.za/content/view/287432/142/"><strong>http://it-online.co.za/content/view/287432/142/</strong></a>
<br>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/emt/newsroom/aggbug.ashx?id=677bff45-7339-40d5-b55f-a17d7076e6e1" /> more...
<p>
<table class=contentpaneopen>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class=createdate valign=top colspan=2>
20 May 2008 at 14:43
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign=top colspan=2>
<p class=maintext>
<strong>News, Disaster Management, ITU, Satellite, Myanmar</strong>: Controversy has
marked the relief efforts in Myanmar's recent cyclone tragedy. One encouraging sign
is that ITU satellite terminals are restoring vital communications links. The International
Telecommunication Union has deployed 100 satellite terminals to help restore vital
communication links in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis which hit Myanmar on May 2
with devastating effect in Yangon and the low-lying Irrawaddy delta region.
</p>
<p class=maintext>
Thousands were killed, and thousands more are injured and missing. High winds cut
electricity and destroyed roads and communications links, hampering the coordination
and delivery of assistance. With the restoration of communication links, designated
government officials and other humanitarian agencies are able to more efficiently
coordinate relief operations. The mobile terminals are easily transported by road
and air to be used both by humanitarian workers and the victims of this disaster.
</p>
<p class=maintext>
"I am very disturbed by the high frequency of disasters across the globe," said Sami
Al Basheer Al Morshid, Director of ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau. "This
particular disaster, like the tsunami of 2004, struck on a weekend when most of the
agencies that could provide assistance least expected it." Expressing his deep condolences
to the government and people of Myanmar, Mr Al Basheer said: "I am however, heartened
by the fact that ITU was one of the very first agencies to arrive in Myanmar with
telecommunications resources."
</p>
<p class=maintext>
<strong>For more information, go to Developing Telecoms at <a href="http://www.developingtelecoms.com/content/view/1240/26/">http://www.developingtelecoms.com/content/view/1240/26/</a></strong>
</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/emt/newsroom/aggbug.ashx?id=c54388d1-f846-4abc-bc6a-1240158240c5" /> more...
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