Case Study: Relief project in Southern Sudan

The Conflict outbreak in Abyei, Sudan from the 13th of May 2008, has led to several internally displaced persons estimated at 50,000 people and another 40,000 persons still within war affected communities. The humanitarian community has set up several camps in different sections in Sudan to cater for all war affected zones and persons. The humanitarian response teams have been focusing on food, emergency shelter, health and nutrition, water, sanitation and
Primary Requirements
For the relief teams to effectively sustain this venture, they need to have effective, dynamic constant communication channels for site to site and site to headquarters interactions that will maintain accurate, quick coordination of operations.
need

Constant communication through data and voice on a reliable and secure link

solution

The team installed a VSAT solution which facilitated for effective site reporting through emails and voice calls to the headquarters especially on food shortages enabling the headquarters to make timely food airlift deliveries.

need

A wide area network that would link all the different, remote offices and agents.

solution

All the offices that were 10 kilometres apart used a wireless network (wifi) and were able to transfer data and make voice calls at cheap rates

need

A public phone in several camps that could be used by anyone at the site.

solution

A Public Calling Office (PCO) was set up which facilitated for several of the displaced families to search for each other, communicate with each other as well as communicate with the outside world.

need

Lightweight, portable communication devices for field personnel

solution

Each field agent was given a Thuraya SO-2510 satellite phone which enabled them to maintain constant communication on their location and timely feedback on their findings.

The agents were able call out and receive calls as well as draft reports and email them to headquarters and receive feedback whilst still on the field.

DATA

need

The field agents required continuously access to large quantities of data

solution

The agents equipped themselves with a Thuraya IP and were able to forward pictures of the site and camp conditions to the headquarters as well as participate in regular, status meetings held at the headquarters through video conferencing.

need

A stable, communication channel for agents when they were in motion, traveling from one site to another as well as a means of tracking each project vehicle for security purposes due to the area’s volatile environment.

solution

By installing each vehicle with a Thuraya-eye, it allowed the agents to continuously make and receive calls whilst in motion

They also used it as a tracking device, allowing the headquarters to monitor the vehicles movements and forewarn agents veering into conflict zones or of any impeding danger.

Secondary Requirements
FAs the team needed to set up temporary structures to run operations in a long term scale, they needed a solution that would cater for that.
need

The team had erected a temporary school structure for the internally displaced children They had also set up for the camp dispensaries that were providing clinical services for the surrounding regions of each camp

solution

By installing a VSAT, they were able to provide internet access for the school for online tutorial purposes which enabled the children to continue with their education. The children who were on their final year of primary school were able to take their final exams.

The camp dispensaries using the same VSAT solution were able to effectively order medical supplies, receiving them in good time and maintaining the much needed medical stock

need

 

solution

 

 

 

EMERGENCY RELIEF

Case study: Mozambique Floods

The Mozambique floods in 2000 were triggered by exceptionally heavy rain in South Africa, lasting five weeks. In Botswana, they were receiving 75% of their yearly rainfall in three days. The rain from Botswana and other Southern African countries ran into the connecting Mozambique rivers which eventually burst their banks, causing severe flooding in Mozambique. Services were cut off, infrastructure destroyed; many people were stranded, lost their homes and died through drowning or disease. Emergency relief teams needed to execute relief operations immediately with effective team co-ordination.
Primary Requirements
For the relief teams to effectively assess and constantly observe the situation, they needed to maintain constant stable and secure communication channels.
need

Most of the teams were mainly on the move so they needed to access the internet with an easily and quickly deployable device that could support the whole team.

solution

Each team, equipped with a BGAN Hughes 9201, was able to access the internet for regular updates on the situation, send out reports from the field or site and send out pictures of the flood’s impact in the area while also making voice calls

need

While out in the field or within the camp the agents needed lightweight, portable communication devices for field operations

solution

The relief agents were equipped with Iridium 9505A phone which enabled them to maintain constant and fast communication allowing them to quickly assemble quick response units and immediately execute rescue missions

They were able to inform each other if an area was volatile and avoid any impeding dangers

Mudslide in the Philippines

During Philippines’ mudslide calamity in February 17, 2006, the rescue teams relied heavily on their BGAN Hughes 9201 to forward status and progress reports, pictures of the site and communicate amongst each team their recovery efforts. These site pictures were also used by the media to highlight the devastation and need for more aid. There was greater global support which made the rescue efforts more quick and effective.