Missions

TSF organised a capacity building programme to strengthen the humanitarian response system through the optimal use of technologies

Between August 2010 and February 2011, TSF trained 102 staff members from organisations and humanitarian agencies in Asia and Central and Latin America to improve effective use of telecommunications service in emergency situations.

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.

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.

Following Hurricane Felix, TSF installed three emergency communication centres for the United Nations and the humanitarian community in the Puerto Cabezas region, in partnership with the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO).

Just after having returned from their mission in Guatemala, TSF Latin America teams are again called upon by Managua's authorities.

In Chad, TSF set up a telecommunications centre in the region bordering Sudan. The purpose of this mission was to assist refugees from Darfur who had crossed the border, and to logistically and technically assist NGOs in the field to coordinate their response during this critical period of rainfall.

As part of their collaboration agreement, TSF's Regional Base for the Americas and the SINAPRED intervened in Cerro Musun, affected by heavy floods and landslides.