Missions

Cyclone Batsirai made landfall on the east coast of Madagascar on Saturday 5 February, with registered wind gusts of up to 235 km/h. Less than three weeks after, on 22 February, another powerful cyclone, Emnati, hit the same area. Thousands of people have been impacted and displaced.

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.

Improve access to information and digital technology for vulnerable populations in Miarinarivo, while strengthening their knowledge of responsible use of ICTs. Context According to a survey of 146 residents conducted by the TSF team in 2024, interest in digital technology is growing in Antananarivo, but significant access inequalities persist, particularly for women and young people. The priorities identified for the project are: accessible training, adapted support, awareness of responsible use. It is also essential to strengthen local structures to facilitate this access. Activities Access to digital tools and raising awareness The IT Cup Centre has initiated partnerships with local schools (Miarinarivo High School, Mimosa High School and CEG Reference). According to their age, students in these institutions receive an introduction to computers (word processing, spreadsheet, internet, e-mails). Students are divided into two groups of up to 10 pupils. Personalised assessment systems allow each student to become aware of their skills and progress. Usually, before the training, more than half of the students has never used a computer. The cybercafé was the first activity set up at the IT Cup center when it opened. It gives the residents of Miarinarivo direct access to computers and the internet, as well as essential tools such as printers and scanners.The cybercafé receives an average of 700 visitors per month. Users are mainly young people (aged 16-25), with two-thirds being boys and men and one-third being girls and women.Internet search training sessions, as well as online protection activities such as 1,2,3 Cyber, are regularly provided.In 2025, the IT Cup center organized workshops on the digital collage. Based on collective intelligence pedagogy, the digital collage helps participants understand the essential mechanisms of the global digital infrastructure and its impact on the environment. Events around digital topics Safer Internet Day took place on May 12, 2022, in Miarinarivo and is a European initiative aimed at raising awareness among young internet users about issues related to internet use: digital identity and personal data, social networks, cyberbullying, etc. As part of the IT Cup program, this international day is an opportunity to introduce the residents of Miarinarivo to the uses of the internet in order to develop responsible use that is adapted to local development issues. Other events are organized with TSF's partners in Miarinarivo, notably the Alabri center Extra-curricular activities To educate and raise awareness among young people, extracurricular activities are organized in partnership with the Alabri center and schools in the city. e-Hianatra Club Working with secondary school teachers, students learn how to conduct research on the internet and verify the sources they use. Academic support Every Saturday morning, in partnership with the Alabri center, students come to study at the IT Cup center, using available digital resources such as the Educmad platform (supported by the NGO Accesmad), under the supervision of teachers from partner schools. Technical Club On Saturday afternoons, motivated young people discover digital technology and algorithms in a fun way with Scratch, the mBot robot, and more. HIstory of the project Miarinarivo is the capital of the Itasy region, located in central Madagascar, a three-hour drive from the capital city of Antananarivo. The Itasy region is predominantly rural and has many assets that promote sustainable development and benefit the population. The city of Miarinarivo is home to all of the region's administrative bodies, as well as numerous schools where children from the surrounding countryside come to study. In 2011, the city had no public internet access. TSF therefore set up an internet access point, thanks to funds raised by the IT Cup the previous year. A partner since 2006, the IT Cup is an association that organizes a charity soccer tournament for companies in the new technology sector. The center has a high-speed internet connection, computer and digital equipment, and spaces adapted for the center's various multi-sector activities. The initial objective was to contribute to the region's development by introducing digital technology and connectivity, working closely with local stakeholders and including activities related to various sectors: education, services, agriculture, health, etc. Over time, the IT Cup Centre has become a dynamic and important community organisation in the town of Miarinarivo, providing digital access to serve the local community.

In the autumn of 2011, the western coast of El Salvador experienced torrential rains. The departments of Ahuachapan and Usulutan were invaded by large-scale floods. TSF supported the Civil Protection with a system for data collection and emergency communication.

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.

Hurricane Ida swept the coasts of Nicaragua and El Salvador in November 2009. At the request of UNDAC, TSF teams traveled to both countries to provide communications to the United Nations assessment teams.

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.

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.

On 21st July 2002, an affluent of the river Apure that flows through the southern Venezuelan region of the same name burst its banks and flooded the entire town of Guasdualito and the surrounding area. The equivalent of a whole year’s worth of rain had poured down in just a few days. The Venezuelan government declares a state of emergency in the state of Apure: TSF supports national response mechanism.