Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF), the Inmarsat-sponsored emergency telecoms first responder, has deployed to Ecuador to provide emergency support after the strongest earthquake the country has experienced for almost 40 years hit on 16 April.
A team from TSF’s newly formed deployment base in Guadalajara, Mexico, has quickly established a response plan to help more than 100,000 people affected by the 7.8 magnitude disaster.
Following an official request for assistance from the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination body (UNDAC), a team from TSF is now supporting its UN partner in its connectivity efforts for the country’s most affected zones.
Location of the earthquake in Ecuador
The team will now carry out vital assessments of the telecommunications situation in the area affected by the earthquake, which spans several hundred square kilometres.
As well as assisting the people whose lives have been changed by this disaster, TSF teams will also work alongside aid agencies, the United Nations and the government, implementing means of communication for improved coordination efforts.
A unit from TSF’s headquarters in Europe is currently standing by and ready to deploy today should support be requested from the field.
