News

TSF call centres offer lifeline to Pakistan flood victims

27-08-2010 - More than 2,000 families affected by the floods in Pakistan have been contacting loved-ones with news, thanks to humanitarian calling centres run by Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF).

The aid agency's team of communications specialists has visited 80 locations throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, offering free calls to people sheltering in schools and temporary camps.

The Inmarsat-sponsored agency reports that 2,003 people have so far called family members living overseas or elsewhere in Pakistan to let them know they are alive and to request help.

Important need
TSF spokesman Myriam Annette said: "More than three weeks after the outbreak of the disaster, there is still an important need for communication.

"In some areas, the telecommunications or power infrastructure failed because of the floods. In other areas, poor and rural, there are no existing or efficient communication facilities."

TSF has been in Pakistan since the scale of the flooding became clear, providing information and communications technology (ITC) support at the United Nation's emergency co-ordination centre in Multan district in Punjab province.

Local partner
The centre is base for the UN's disaster and assessment co-ordination teams and various non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

With its local implementing partner, Pakistani non-governmental organisation Youth Resource Centre (YRC), TSF is continuing to work in Charsadda, Nowshera and Peshawar districts until all humanitarian communication needs are met.

The agency reports that people are sheltering in more than 100 schools and numerous camps.

TSF 

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