Hurricane Otis

Context

In the aftermath of Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, Mexico, TSF deployed to support emergency telecommunications as part of its collaboration with the International Movement of the Red Cross. TSF provided equipment to enable the National Society of the Red Cross to conduct safer operations on the ground and assist the affected community.

Hurricane Otis hit the coast on Wednesday 25th as a category 5 storm, causing at least 52 deaths, extensive damage and severing communication, road and air connections.

Mission

TSF staff from the base in Mexico were deployed to train Mexican Red Cross personnel on using the equipment, which would be immediately sent to the field to facilitate the operations.

TSF collaborated with the Mexican Red Cross and provided telecommunication services, including free internet access and satellite phones, to ensure that victims of the Hurricane could contact their relatives and friends. In addition to connectivity, affected communities had the opportunity to recharge their devices.

Thanks to the joint activities of TSF and the Red Cross, over 4,000 people benefitted from the connectivity services, including 361 phone calls and 956 Internet connections.