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| Photo credit: AFP |
ITU has sent 25 satellite terminals to help restore
vital communication links in the aftermath of the
massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Chile
on 27 February 2010, killing more than 700 people
and cutting communications links in the city of
Concepción and towns along the coast. It came only
a few weeks after the tragic earthquake in Haiti, to
which ITU also sent aid (see article in ITU News of
March 2010).
The equipment was flown from Geneva to Chile
on 1 March. ITU is working in partnership with Iridium
Communications Inc to ensure connectivity for satellite
phones, which will be used by local authorities to
facilitate humanitarian assistance to disaster victims.
ITU covers all expenses relating to the transport, deployment
and use of the equipment, which will be at
the disposal of the authorities in Chile for as long as
they need it.
“Our hearts go out to the government and
the people of Chile, who find themselves having
to deal with a devastating tragedy,” said ITU
Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré. “We will continue
to actively contribute assistance in partnership
with our membership.”
Sami Al Basheer Al Morshid, Director of ITU’s
Telecommunication Development Bureau commended
Iridium for its assistance that has facilitated rapid
deployment of equipment and air time to support
first responders, rescue workers, and relief teams in
Chile.
“Communication networks were disrupted by this
massive earthquake, hampering rescue operations
and the delivery of essential logistics and services,”
said Mr Al Basheer, and the equipment sent to Chile
will help to meet vital communication needs.
ITU’s Area Office in Santiago, Chile, is providing
on-the-ground expert support to local authorities, as
well as to the United Nations Operations Centre, to
coordinate restoration of damaged communication
systems and to manage the radio-spectrum requirements
for wireless systems used by humanitarian
agencies.
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