Pakistan Earthquake: TSF Runs Satellite Telecoms Centre for Rescue Efforts

Staff from the aid charity, Telecoms Sans Frontieres (Telecoms Without Borders) arrived in Pakistan on October 9th, the day after the earthquake and installed a satellite Telecoms Centre for rescue teams near Muzaffarabad heliport where hundreds of injured people are waiting to be evacuated.

In Muzaffarabad, GSM functions only at times leaving emergency response staff with no priority phone lines and Internet connection have not yet been re-established. It is therefore necessary to deploy satellite means to facilitate flow of information and rescue teams and UN agencies coordination.

Satellite connection necessary to rescue teams and UN agencies. Calls to non affected Pakistani towns and also to Saudi Arabia enabled to give news and will help in receiving personalized assistance.

Hassan, lives in Balakot. On Saturday, he lost two sisters, three brothers and his father in the earthquake. His wife survived but had he not bravely walked 3 kilometres to the nearest hospital, she would have lost her legs. He had had no news since the day he left her with the doctors.

On Wednesday, thanks to TSF's crew, he was reassured over the phone: doctors confirmed his wife was recovering and that she would be able to walk soon. Hassan shacked hands gratefully with the TsF crew and went back to his house which he will have to rebuild.

TSF to send more teams and equiment

Humanitarian phoning operations will continue in the coming days in Balakot, in Manshera, Muzaffarabad and affected villages nearby depending accessibility.

You can read about the TSF here - http://www.tsfi.org/"

Posted to the site on 17th October 2005