The Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) has not yet been activated in response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, though discussions are ongoing. There is a clear need across the three affected countries for ETC services. At this stage, the agreement is that the World Food Programme (WFP), as global lead of the ETC, will respond as if the cluster was activated. As such the ETC, its partners and membership are responding together for a coordinated response.
Highlights
Proposals for shared security telecommunications services across the three countries developed in partnership with the UN Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS).
- The inter-agency ICT response for the Ebola crisis will include: Common Security Telecommunications services, Shared ICT Infrastructure Support and Communications for Affected Communities.
Achievements
In cooperation with the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), clear roles and responsibilities for the ICT response to the Ebola crisis have been defined. The humanitarian response, to be led by the ETC community, will involve:
- Common Security Telecommunications services: provision of shared 24/7 security telecommunications services in key locations across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
- Shared ICT Infrastructure support: provision of radio communications and internet connectivity in Ebola Treatment Centres (ETUs) across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
- Communications for Communities: support for communications with affected communities, enabling patients to communicate with their families.
The Humanitarian ICT Needs survey was developed and shared with partners responding to the Ebola crisis. Responses from 26 different organisations were received across the three countries. Results from the survey, combined with assessments carried out on the ground, reveal clear needs for shared security communications and internet connectivity in key operating locations across the three countries.