Archived Newsroom • Press Release |
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ITU rushes to aid of Chile quake and tsunami victims
Race to restore the communication links essential to humanitarian assistance
Geneva, 2 March 2010 — ITU has
deployed 25 satellite terminals to help restore vital communication links in the
aftermath of the massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit Chile on
27 February, killing over 700 people and cutting communications links in the
city of Concepción and towns along the coast.
The equipment was airlifted out of Geneva on Monday 1 March, and is expected
to be deployed on the ground as early as today, 2 March. ITU is working with
emergency communications partner Iridium Communications Inc. to ensure
connectivity for satellite handsets, which will be used by local authorities to
facilitate humanitarian assistance to disaster victims. ITU is also striving to
source additional equipment from El Salvador and Nicaragua, where it had been
deployed last year to help those countries restore communications after their
own natural disasters.
"Our hearts go out to the government and the people of Chile, who find
themselves having to deal with a tragedy similar to that which so recently
devastated Haiti," said ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun Touré. "We are proud to be a long-standing leader in coordinating the provision
of emergency telecommunications and will continue to actively contribute
assistance in partnership with ITU membership."
ITU’s Area Office in Santiago, Chile, is already providing expert
on-the-ground support to local authorities, as well as to the local UN
Operations Centre, to coordinate the restoration of damaged communication
systems and manage spectrum requirements for the wireless systems used by
humanitarian agencies.
Sami Al Basheer Al Morshid, Director, ITU Telecommunication Development
Bureau, said: "I would like to thank Iridium for supporting ITU on this sad
occasion. Communications networks were disrupted by this massive earthquake,
hampering rescue operations and the delivery of essential logistics and
services. Our assistance will contribute towards the bridging of the current
communication gap."
ITU is providing Iridium satellite phones which can use both satellite and
GSM networks, as well as delivering accurate GPS positioning coordinates to aid
relief and rescue. ITU covers all expenses relating to transportation,
deployment and use of equipment, which will be at the disposal of the
authorities in Chile for as long as they require it.
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Parkes
Media Relations and Public Information, ITU
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+41 22 730 6135 |
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+41 79 599 1439 |
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+41 22 730 5939 |
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pressinfo@itu.int |
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Cosmas Zavazava
Chief of Division, Emergency Telecommunications, ITU
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+41 22 730 5447 |
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cosmas.zavazava@itu.int |
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About ITU...
About Iridium Communications Inc.
Iridium Communications Inc. (www.iridium.com)
is the only mobile satellite service (MSS) company offering coverage over the
entire globe. The Iridium constellation of low-earth orbiting (LEO) cross-linked
satellites provides critical voice and data services for areas not served by
terrestrial communication networks. Iridium serves commercial markets through a
worldwide network of distributors, and provides services to the U.S. Department
of Defense and other U.S. and international government agencies. The Company's
customers represent a broad spectrum of industry, including maritime,
aeronautical, government/defense, public safety, utilities, oil/gas, mining,
forestry, heavy equipment and transportation. Iridium has launched a major
development program for its next-generation satellite constellation, Iridium
NEXT. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., U.S.A.