Archived Newsroom • Press Release |
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ITU Humanitarian Awards presented
Emergency telecommunications cited as key area of
focus
Dubai, UAE, 17 October 2012 – ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun
Touré presented the first ITU Humanitarian Award during ITU Telecom World
2012, currently in session in Dubai.
In recognition of the commitment and consistent leadership in supporting the
use of telecommunications to save lives during emergencies, the Awards were
presented to Industry Canada; Ministry for Broadband, Communications and the
Digital Economy, Australia; Inmarsat; Iridium Communications; and Thuraya. Mr
Navin Kapila, was presented an individual award.
Emergency telecommunications has been one of the key activities of ITU since
its inception and remains so today. The new ITU Humanitarian Award reflects the
importance the Union accords to emergency telecommunications before, during and
after disasters strike. It includes disaster reduction activities as well as
disaster management, including the rapid deployment of equipment to affected
countries in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters.
In partnership with ITU, several partners have provided financial and in-kind
support which has benefitted countries across the globe. For many years, ITU has
partnered with Inmarsat, Iridium Communications and Thuraya to ensure
connectivity following natural disasters to facilitate humanitarian assistance
to the victims. Other partners contributing to ITU initiatives include ITU’s 193
Member States and the private sector.
“ITU has taken the lead in deploying emergency telecommunications using
satellite equipment and other ICT solutions in disaster-hit regions around the
world following earthquakes, floods, mudslides and tsunamis,” ITU
Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré said. “The ITU Humanitarian Award is a means
to recognize our partners and individuals who have come together in times of
crisis to rush to the aid of victims and help save lives. Human life is too
precious to lose, and one life lost is one too many.”
For
more information, please contact:
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Sanjay Acharya
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information, ITU
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