ITU provides satellite communications to Suriname for relief

The International Telecommunication Union has deployed satellite terminals to Suriname in response to a request for assistance by the government following an ongoing disaster. The equipment will facilitate timely flow of information among humanitarian workers in the field. The satellite terminals that are charged by solar panels support voice, high speed data and video applications.

So far, response efforts have been hampered by damage to roads, airstrips and other parts of the South American nation's infrastructure including telecommunications. As the country gets more and more into the rainy season, authorities expect the flooding to worsen and heavy rains were forecast for the next few days.

About the disaster Heavy rains since the beginning of May 2006 have inundated the Surinamese interior causing several major rivers to rapidly rise and         submerge an area estimated at 30 000km². May is the beginning of the rainy season in Suriname. About 25,000 people are reported to have been affected by the rising water levels, with the most severe damage occurring in the southwest and center of the country. Parts of southern Suriname, including along the Upper Suriname River and Tapahony, Lawa and Marowijne rivers, have now been declared disaster areas. Map of Suriname The most affected area is in red. Click on the map to enlarge it.

Recent response efforts by ITU:

• ITU provides satellite imagery and training to Indonesia for post- earthquake disaster telecommunications network planning
• ITU Provides Emergency Satellite Services to Pakistan's Earthquake-Hit Zones
• ITU Responds to Appeal for Telecommunications Assistance from Tsunami Affected Countries