Archived Newsroom • Communiqué |
|
Japan bolsters ITU’s emergency communications capacity
Financial contribution to aid countries affected
by natural disasters
Geneva, 25 April 2012 – Japan has made a financial
contribution to ITU amounting to CHF 158,000 to strengthen its emergency
communications capability.
In a statement, the Government of Japan said: “We would like to contribute
CHF 158,000 to the ITU Framework for Cooperation in Emergencies (IFCE). Since we
greatly benefitted from the IFCE after the Great East Japan Earthquake, we truly
understand the importance of IFCE. We hope our contribution will be utilized for
Member States that are affected by disasters and need communication measures.”
ITU deployed broadband satellite terminals to Japan in the immediate
aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the north eastern
coast of Japan in March 2011.
“The people of Japan deserve great praise for the way they dealt with the
crisis that enveloped their lives following the earthquake and tsunami in March
2011, and my heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the bereaved and to
those who lost their property and their livelihoods,” said ITU Secretary General
Hamadoun Touré. “I am grateful that the Government of Japan, which is still
recovering from such a massive disaster, is contributing generously to our
humanitarian activities.”
Marking the anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Japan hosted a
Symposium on the use of telecommunications/ICT before and during emergencies. “I
was touched by Japan's generosity when they sponsored the participation of many
developing countries to an information- sharing Symposium,” said Brahima Sanou,
Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau. “I call upon other
partners to emulate Japan’s initiative to support ITU’s emergency communications
and to help save lives of millions of people across the globe.”
The ITU Framework for Cooperation in Emergencies is a global initiative that
is based on partnership building to serve the humanitarian community. The IFCE
draws its partners and resources from governments, private sector, regulatory
authorities, airfreight companies and individuals.
Generous contributions in the past have come from the Governments of
Australia and Canada. Iridium, Inmarsat, Thuraya, FeDEX regularly support ITU’s
IFCE initiative.
For more information, please contact:
|
Sanjay Acharya
Chief, Media Relations
and Public Information
International Telecommunication Union
|
Cosmas Zavazava
Chief, Project Support and Knowledge Management Department,
ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau
|
About ITU...