Missions

On July 1, 2024, Hurricane Beryl caused extensive damage on the islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. Continuing its path through the Caribbean, it also hit Jamaica. Two TSF teams are on site to provide emergency telecoms support, in coordination with CDEMA and UNDAC.

A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti on Saturday 14 August. TSF deployed a team from its headquarters to provide humanitarian assistance in the affected area.

After the hurricane, the most affected cities of Jérémie and Les Cayes were deprived of contact with the outside world. TSF teams were on hand to provide the essential communications to rescue teams and residents.

The 2010 earthquake in Haiti is a humanitarian crisis that remains engraved in the memories of people across the globe. With more than 220,000 fatalities, and over 1 million people left without a roof over their heads, relief efforts were titanic. With the support of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations body (ECHO), TSF provided satellite telecommunications support for the humanitarian response community, including the government and the United Nations, whilst working to provide communications services for thousands of families.

On September 29, a devastating 8.0 magnitude earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami. TSF provided telecom and IT support to the organisations present. In coordination with the NDMO, humanitarian calling operations were conducted in the evacuation centres.

TSF supported satellite communications and IT resource centres for humanitarian emergency operations following four hurricanes in Haiti.

Cyclone Jeanne hit Haiti on 18th September. Two days of heavy rains led to serious flooding in North West Haiti, principally affecting the town of Gonaives. At the time of the disaster, TSF was already mobilised on the island of Grenada since 13th September. A TSF team arrived on Haiti on 24th September and had be augmented one week later. The team was from this date operational to bring help and support to the victims as well as local and international NGOs.

In September 2004, the strongest hurricane of the 2004 hurricane season swept the Atlantic Basin, causing catastrophic damage to Grenada. The land telecommunications and electricity network were the most damaged by the hurricane ; the mobile network was completely saturated. A great number of NGOs, institutions and local workers mobilized in St. George, the capital; however, they were unable to make contact off the island, on the island with difficulty. With the support of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), TSF deployed on the island of Grenada to offer satellite lines for the benefit of the population, as well as data transmissions for relief organizations.

TSF deployed to the Dominican Republic and Haiti following devastating floods to create emergency communications centres for relief agencies and the affected population

Although it is difficult to prevent risks, the preparation and investment in effective response mechanisms at regional and national levels limit the impact of humanitarian disasters. Haiti being regularly threatened by natural disasters, the collaboration between TSF and ANSH is part of an effective emergency response strategy.