Missions

On February 17, a large landslide buried the village of Guisagon (Leyte) under several metres of mud affecting nearly 2,000 inhabitants. In the hours that followed, TSF dispatched a team of emergency telecommunications specialists from its Asia base in Bangkok, Thailand. Less than 48 hours after the disaster, TSF had installed a telecoms centre to the benefit of all United Nations Agencies, NGOs and national and international relief workers.

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.

Three months after the devastating tsunami, another 8.7 earthquake was occurred off Sumatra. On 28th March 2005, the population, which was already traumatized by the tsunami, believed to relive a new tidal wave. TSF deployed on the island of Sumatra from 31st March. The following day, at the request of the Indonesian government and OCHA, the Singaporean army transported the TSF team to the south of Nias Island where satellite lines were provided to relief and disaster relief.

Following the devastating tsunami that swept the Indian Ocean, TSF responded simultaneously to the needs of the affected population and relief agencies in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. TSF arrived in Indonesia within 24 hours of the government's call for international assistance and fully responded to the malfunctioning telecommunications networks in the Aceh province. The activities of TSF were essential for the coordination of the relief and the affected populations.

Three successive major typhoons mainly affected the province of Quezon - 75 km east of Manila. The intervention team from TSF, with the support of the NDCC, arrived in the city of Réal where it provided assistance to the population and rescue teams. This mission was co-funded by the European Commission.