Mobile helps Haiti back on feet

The situation in Haiti is improving, but it will take a long time for the country to rebuild its decimated infrastructure, according to an Ericsson Response volunteer.

Sarah Gannon, system manager for Ericsson, has returned home to Sweden after spending 15 days at the United Nations (UN) log base in Port-au-Prince, as part of Ericsson's Response team.

The company sent an emergency response team and a container-based mobile system to assist with setting up mobile communications in the earthquake-stricken country nearly a month ago.

“In the past few weeks, we have seen things come together, with the relief operation in full swing, resulting in a more controlled environment, faster turnaround times, and better outcomes,” says Gannon.

Ericsson waited for more than two weeks to get its mini-GSM system into Haiti, as more important aid supplies took priority during UN flights into the country. The system finally arrived on 4 February, and has been set up to allow workers to communicate in the local area.

“During our time here, we have set up a WiFi solution at Camp Charlie (the living camp for the humanitarian community), manned by the humanitarian help-desk for the UN camp, as well as programmed VHF radios,” says Gannon.

She adds that Haiti is currently a security level three, meaning all UN staff members are required to carry a VHF radio. “Communication is vital to share information and send status reports to the outside world and I believe Ericsson's efforts have certainly contributed.”

Josephine Edwall, Ericsson VP and head of communications, says the mini public GSM network should allow aid workers to communicate both within and outside the country.

She notes that the GSM network will be for voice communications, as the response team has already set up a wireless emergency communication service called Wider (wireless LAN in disaster emergency response) for Internet access. This gives aid workers broader access for sending e-mail and data, says Edwall.

The company has also distributed thousands of mobile handsets to relief workers. “It's crucial for aid workers to keep in touch so they can coordinate and organise aid in a better way,” she adds.

According to Edwall, the disaster in Haiti is one of the worst the volunteers have ever seen, having previously worked in emergency situations in the Congo, Sudan, and the Philippines. “Haiti is really tough, but the volunteers have been trained to handle situations like this. They have to find solutions to problems they've never encountered before, but they have the experience.”

Gannon says the working conditions have been one of the biggest challenges. “It is extremely dusty and hot in Haiti, which has made many response efforts very difficult and has even caused equipment failure in some instances.”

Gannon, who has assisted in response team missions to Indonesia and Pakistan, says - while every emergency situation is unique - in terms of the physical destruction, Haiti is badly affected. “As with most natural disasters, it will certainly take time to rebuild and revitalise.”

This was the first time Ericsson Response used team leaders for such an incident, which Gannon says was a positive, yet humbling experience.

“I am really impressed by my team and how flexible they have been throughout this experience. They were asked to take videos for public information officers, to construct a foundation for a satellite, and to climb towers (with safety equipment) - all tasks they have undertaken willingly, to help in the relief of this disaster-stricken area.”

According to Gannon, all communication efforts have been coordinated through the Emergency Telecom Cluster run by the UN, consisting of UN agencies and humanitarian partners with the relevant expertise.

“This has and is still working wonderfully,” says Gannon. “Effective communication enables emergency teams and relief response units to work efficiently, helping to save people's lives and plan for the aftermath.”

Edwall says the response team will stay as long as the UN needs them. “We have about 30 volunteers from around the world on a standby list, so if more volunteers are needed we can send additional support.”

Gannon adds that there are two volunteers on the ground, whose mission it is to connect the GSM via satellite to the UN network hub based in Italy. “I will remain in constant contact with these volunteers and track developments and progress.”

“They're tough missions,” notes Edwall, “so we can't keep the volunteers there too long, and will have to send in new teams. Even if it takes a long time, we will continue providing support.”

According to Edwall, themainconcerns going forward are still food, water, medicine, and rebuilding infrastructure, much of which has completely collapsed.

Several organisations are working together to continue effective communication. The UN Foundation, in partnership with groups such as the Vodafone Foundation and T'el'ecoms Sans Fronti`eres (TSF), are providing support for the World Food Programme, the UN's lead agency tasked with security communications in disaster response.

TSF teams are also contributing vital telecommunication services to humanitarian agencies, as well as giving victims of the earthquake a way to connect with family members.

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