Missions

In July 2021, record rainfall caused widespread flooding across Western Europe, with some areas suffering the worst devastation in decades. More than 180 casualties were confirmed and thousands forced to leave their houses.

On 11 March 2011 an earthquake measuring 9 on the Richter scale triggered a tsunami in North-East Japan, with 10-metre waves ravaging the coastal areas and causing the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, with the explosion of the reactor of the Fukushima power station. The destruction of infrastructure, the shortage of fuel, and many power cuts to the capital make the situation extremely complex. TSF deployed from its base in Bangkok to provide its emergency communications facilities. The mission drew to a close due to the high risk of the nuclear alert.

Severe floods in July 2010 killed more than 1,500 people. TSF supported survivors who found themselves in utter destitution by offering free calls in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. In addition, TSF telecom specialists provided communications facilities to UNDAC and OCHA teams in Punjab and Islamabad.

The resumption of conflict between the Pakistani army and the Taliban in May 2009 forced more than 2 million people to flee northwest Pakistan. In very difficult security conditions (attacks, kidnappings), TSF provided more than 3,000 calls to civilians heavily affected and often injured by the violence. In such a context, talking with a loved one is priceless.

Despite a peace agreement signed in 2003, the provinces of eastern DRC are the scene of repeated violence. In the district of Uélé alone, at least 135,000 people were displaced, 900 killed, and more than 700 kidnapped. At the request of UNICEF, TSF installed a telecom centre at the Monuc camp in Dungu. This connection allows United Nations agencies present to respond to the need of thousands of displaced people living on this huge camp.

300 people lost their lives in the 6.5 magnitude earthquake that rocked Balochistan in October 2008. TSF assisted survivors by offering them a free call. 514 families were able to contact their relatives and give them news through the telephone calls organised by TSF.

Mitwaba is located in the Katanga region of southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. This initially 4,000-strong village is now home to around 20,000 refugees following the conflict between Mai Mai rebels and the Congo's regular army. In May, the rebels surrendered their arms and improved security conditions, enabling the humanitarian community to support the population and local authorities. As a partner of the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster, TSF was in charge of ensuring the first emergency phase by implementing reliable telecom solutions in shared service and managing the transition for the duration of the emergency.

On 8th October 2005, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India suffered a 7.6 magnitude earthquake. The main affected areas are northwestern India, eastern Afghanistan and especially northern Pakistan. In Pakistan, heavy relief intervention is required, with primary assessments showing the need for a telecommunications service.

TSF deployed to the rescue and evacuation centre near Dresden Airport in Germany following the floods that hit Europe in August 2002.

Following a terrible explosion of the Nyiragongo volcano in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on 17th January 2002, Télécoms sans Frontières was contacted by the Red Cross to support those providing help to the affected populations.