Telecommunications for Disaster Relief
Sumatra:
“26th December 2004 — A day we won’t forget”
The Problem
When disaster strikes, as it
does with seemingly increased frequency, the world’s relief and
rescue agencies swing into action.
Within a few days, equipment and supplies are arriving from all over the
world and the race is on to rescue survivors and to make sure they stay
alive.
A whole family of UN agencies, Red Cross and Red Crescent also arrive,
and sometimes a number of foreign military forces weigh in too.
Too often, confusion reigns. There is duplication and overlap. Arranging
for the right supplies, and the right skills to get to the right place
is a nightmare. Collaboration and cooperation is less than effective.
The wrong things arrive in the wrong place. Huge effort and massive resources
fail to have their full impact. Sometimes lives which could have been
saved are lost, and suffering is prolonged.
The Solution
DRASTIC has the capability to rapidly deploy high performance,
Internet connectivity via satellite almost anywhere on the surface of
the earth. A typical ‘Internet Café’ installation can
support over fifty simultaneous computer users and a number of international
direct dial phone lines. They also act as a gathering point, catalyzing
essential cooperation.
"Communicate
- Coordinate - Collaborate!"
Banda
Aceh, 2005: Internet café established for UN and NGO workers*
Specialist communications knowledge and real field experience is needed
to be able to deploy reliable, high performance and cost-effective communications
in the wake of disasters.
DRASTIC
has designed a single technology platform that delivers a consistent,
predictable quality of service almost anywhere. We have also negotiated
bandwidth from the top global suppliers. We know what we are getting and
how it will perform.
DRASTIC
engineers all the power generation, supply and storage to enable uninterrupted
service, irrespective of city power availability. Lightning protection
is integral to our implementations.
We thoroughly understand
wireless networking and can distribute Internet connectivity to key points
across a city, from a single satellite connection (depending on topography).
As required, we
can pre-build rapid deployment kits, from boxed equipment, through trailer
mounted kits to 40ft containers.
Our practice will
be to have implementation teams stay on site for a period to ensure operators
are fully trained and systems are working well.
DRASTIC participated in the Strong Angel III Disaster Response demonstration in San Diego, August 2006. Read our blog of the event.
© Copyright DRASTIC, 2005-2006