Missions

Following Typhoon Durian, which swept the Philippines on 1 December, Télécoms Sans Frontières immediately mobilised its teams to strengthen the relief efforts and offer communications to the affected population. The team from the Asian regional base collaborated with the National Centre for Disaster Coordination (NDCC)

After a 6.2 earthquake strikes Java Island in Indonesia, TSF deployed satellite lines to support the United Nations relief efforts.

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.

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.

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 25th November 2000, southern Thailand experienced the worst floods in 12 years which left 53 dead and one million affected in ten of the fourteen provinces of the country. TSF supported the Thai population and relief organisations.