In many parts of the world, access to personal telecommunications can nowadays be taken for granted. Personal access to global telecommunication networks from home or workplace and, to an increasing extent, personal mobile communications, are part of everyday social interaction and indispensable for the organization and functioning of society.

Only in the past few years it became obvious, how much in particular those affected by displacement feel the deprivation of these tools affected by a disaster. Relief workers in camps for refugees and internally displaced persons in the Balkan Region were no longer just asked for medicines or food - one of the most frequent requests was now "can I borrow your mobile phone?"

In addition to its value for the individual, and for the social interaction within a society affected and disrupted by a disaster, access to personal telecommunications is also in the interest of the relief providers. Finding solutions for temporary resettlement of people displaced by a disaster is a major task of the assisting organizations. Individuals can greatly facilitate this work when given the means to contact friends and relatives who might be able to help them. And even if no actual help can be mobilized, the capability to let friends know "I am save - I am alive" contributes tremendously to the alleviation of personal suffering and distress.

Information about a non-governmental organization providing such services is available at www.tsfi.org/html_e/index_gb.php.