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Reconnecting Saint-Martin in the wake of Hurricane Irma

More than one week after Category 5 Hurricane Irma hit the Caribbean, Inmarsat-sponsored Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) continues to work with authorities to provide emergency telecoms on the island of Saint-Martin, one of the most heavily impacted in the region.

With terrestrial networks either down or extremely patchy, TSF remains dedicated to providing vital emergency communications across the island, to ensure that the authorities have the necessary tools for an optimal response amongst inhabitants who have lost everything.

Two Global Xpress terminals have been set up to provide access to high-speed, reliable internet connectivity for the island’s crisis management teams. The first terminal is positioned in Saint-Martin’s Operation’s Centre, the second in the civil defence and fire brigade headquarters, which oversees emergency operations, evacuation and recovery.

In addition, IsatPhone 2 satellite phones are being utilised by TSF’s mobile calling teams to provide free telephone calls to families in some of Saint-Martin’s more deprived neighbourhoods, so that they can let loved ones know they are safe and to seek assistance.