Journal Title: ITU News
Journal Issue: (no. 4) 1997
Article Title: World Telecommunication Day: Mark your Calendar!
Page number(s): p. 22-28
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groups and organizations worldwide. In Geneva, Let us celebrate World Telecommunication Day in home to many telecommunications and humani- the spirit of cooperation as an important step to- tarian institutions, an Open Day will provide the wards the optimum application of telecommunica- opportunity for the public to experience the im- tions technology in that most noble of causes; the portant role of telecommunications in humanitarian alleviation of human suffering caused by disasters. work by establishing real-time links with other coun- The theme of World Telecommunication Day tries mounting similar Open Day events, and also 1997 is a message of hope, and underlines the with locations affected by humanitarian crises the humanitarian mission of Geneva as a world tele- world over. communications hub. Geneva, December 1996
for the International for the United Nations for the State Council Telecommunication Union Department of of the Republic Humanitarian Affairs and Canton of Geneva
PekkaTARJANNE Yasushi AKASHI Jean-Philippe MAITRE Secretary-General Under-Secretary-General President
World Telecommunication Day: mark your calendar!
t has become a tradition for the founding of The tent will be open to the public every day
I the International Telecommunication Union to from 17 to 22 May, from 10hOO to 19h00. Dem- be celebrated every year on 17 May, and activi- onstrations will be given all week long on the part ties centred around a specitic theme are organized that telecommunications play in disaster relief ef- worldwide to mark the occasion. The theme for forts. In particular, there will be presentations on 1 997, "Telecommunications and humanitarian as- the role of radioamateurs, short-wave voice and sistance", has been chosen to highlight the increas- data communications, UHF/VHF communications ingly important role that telecommunications play and satellite telecommunications with Inmarsat in disaster mitigation and relief efforts. terminals. This year's celebrations will begin on 15 May with As a hands-on experience, visitors will have the a press conference at Geneva City Hall given by Jean- opportunity to send and receive messages on a VHF Philippe MaTtre, President of the State Council of network. the Republic and Canton of Geneva, Yasushi Akashi, In addition, an Internet website has been set up, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations which visitors to the centre will be able to access Department of Humanitarian Affairs, and Pekka directly (http://www.fema.gov/itu-wtd97). Tarjanne, Secretary-General of the ITU. Also in conjunction with the celebrations, the A tent will be erected at the Place des Nations, International School of Geneva has organized a housing a temporary telecommunication centre. On drawing competition on the theme of this year's 1 6 May the centre will be formally inaugurated, in World Telecommunication Day. Winners will be a ceremony featuring a release of pigeons as a sym- announced early in May. bol of communications. The following two articles illustrate the WTD-97 A number of international organizations will be in theme and give a good insight into the importance attendance, among them the International Commit- of telecommunications in emergency situations and tee of the Red Cross, the United Nations, represented also into the difficulties which still remain when by its Department of Humanitarian Affairs, and ITU. providing assistance.
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Are you all right?
the Geneva office of the United Nations population when the telephone connection with t A Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA), Geneva ends abruptly: the line is cut! the officer on duty reads the latest telex The DHA operations room is equipped with a messages from the meteorological service: "Tropi- variety of communication tools, and the officer on cal cyclone Hollanda... position 60 degrees east duty now tries to re-establish contact by trying other 20 degrees south... expected landfall on north-west office, private and mobile telephone numbers, then coast of Mauritius within next six hours...". DHA by fax, and via telex and even the Internet, all with has the task of permanently monitoring a large no luck. It seems that Mauritius is completely cut number of different information sources, from news off. agencies and media to scientific data and reports The first offers for international assistance, should from United Nations offices around the world, it be required, arrive in DHA's Geneva office. Mean- using everything today's telecommunication tech- while, the reason for the disruption of communi- nology has to offer. By this process of constant cations is finally identified. As a standard proce- monitoring, potential needs for international dure to avoid damage by the anticipated storm, humanitarian assistance are identified and inter- the huge 12-m diameter satellite antenna connect- national resources can be mobilized in a timely ing Mauritius to the outside world has temporarily fashion. In this case, a severe tropical storm ap- been placed in a horizontal position to minimize proaching an island in the Indian Ocean clearly the wind load. Before doing this, the operator in posed a major threat to safety, and required imme- Port Louis has informed his counterpart at the sat- diate attention. ellite station in France, from where all traffic is for- At the office of the United Nations Development warded to the international networks. Only after Programme (UNDP) in Port Louis, the capital of the passage of cyclone Hollanda will the antenna Mauritius, the telephone rings: DHA Geneva is ask- be repositioned towards the telecommunications ing for details of the situation. Things are under satellite above the equator, and only then will regu- control: a cyclone warning "class 3", has been lar telecommunication links be able to be re-estab- issued, and the impact of the storm is expected lished. within the next few hours. The meteorological data received in Geneva in- Mauritius has worked hard over the last few years dicate that the impact of the storm is likely to be to modernize and improve its communications very severe. Its centre touches the northern coast infrastructure. With the help of the Telecommuni- of Mauritius, and the accompanying strong circu- cation Development Bureau of the International lar winds would surely have affected most of the Telecommunication Union (ITU), the island has island. An international disaster assessment team made great progress and has installed one of is put on standby, yet nobody even knows if Port Africa's most modern telephone, broadcast and Louis airport is still operational and if such a team television networks. The modern equipment on the would even be able to reach the island. Specialists island has widely replaced the warning flags and consider the different risks. What if a cargo ship radio links which were still in use when the last with dangerous goods such as chemicals for the cyclone hit the island, more than ten years ago. textile industry could not leave the port in time, The UNDP representative is midway through con- and a leakage of toxic matter has occurred? What firming that the national disaster preparedness and if hospitals and first aid facilities have been dam- response plan should minimize the danger for the aged? What if the island's stocks of medical sup-
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plies or depots of rescue equipment have been that, thanks to an effective preparedness plan and damaged or made inaccessible due to roads blocked effective broadcast messages to alert the popula- by fallen trees or by landslides? In all these cases, tion and provide advice on what to do, only very many lives may be at risk, and could only be saved few people had been injured. International assist- by timely intervention. ance was not required. Upon confirmation that the News about a natural disaster of not-yet known airport would soon be open for traffic again, the dimensions has meanwhile reached the worldwide assessment mission from DHA Geneva was quickly media. Among those most concerned about the on its way. possible impact of the disaster are friends and fami- The question remained, though, as to what had lies of the thousands of tourists who spend their caused a total disruption of communications for holidays on the beautiful Indian Ocean beaches of such a long time? The problems eventually became Mauritius. The uncertainty caused by a complete clear. As soon as the storm had passed, the techni- lack of communications only exacerbates the situ- cians at the satellite telecommunication station had ation. The long-term damage such a situation can tried to reposition the big antenna. The lack of elec- cause to the tourist industry is often much greater tricity, due to the closure of all power stations be- than the physical damage to the resorts themselves. cause of widespread damage to power lines, was The DHA operations room receives many calls from overcome by the use of the emergency diesel gen- people concerned with the well-being of tourists erator of the telecommunication centre. The an- — but, with no telecommunications, even this tenna was accurately repositioned — yet for some centre of information exchange cannot help them. reason no contact with the satellite and, through Meanwhile, all possible tools of alternative com- it, with the station in France, was possible. Closer munication are being explored: the regional air traf- inspection of the antenna showed the reason: fic control centres for southern Africa and for the branches, which the storm had torn from nearby Indian Ocean and coast stations of the maritime trees, had hit the sensitive suspension of the cen- radio networks are being contacted, and the net- tral element of the antenna, the so called "feed works of the meteorological services and of diplo- horn". Damage to this element meant the antenna matic services are alerted. Stations of the amateur could no longer be correctly aligned on the satel- radio service, a decentralized and highly flexible lite, and for several days communication links could network of dedicated volunteer operators world- not be restored. wide, tirelessly work to contact any station located For more than ten years prior to cyclone on the island. Hollanda, Mauritius had not been affected by a From a list of mobile satellite communication cyclone. During this same period, the island had terminals registered in Mauritius, an operator at taken the initiative of introducing the newest tele- DHA Geneva calls one number after another. Fi- communication technologies. Cellular telephones nally, a fishing vessel is reached, but the response provided personal mobile communications, and all from the captain is not what is hoped for: "We international lines were concentrated in one satel- are very happy that you have called us, we are lite link. Because the services offered by the public 1 50 miles south-west of the Maldive Islands and networks could satisfy all the island's communica- have no news from home. What has happened in tion needs, all other means of communication had Mauritius?" been subsequently considered obsolete or seen as A few hours later, the centre of the storm has unnecessary. No licenses for land mobile satellite moved further west, and for Mauritius the worst terminals were therefore available, and existing should be over. However, communications re- radio links such as those of the meteorological ser- mained cut, and were to remain so for the next 36 vice had ceased to be maintained. hours. When the first information finally came The hard lessons learned from this case were through, it was learned that the storm had caused quickly put to good use: in the following month, severe damage to the island's infrastructure, but the First World Telecommunication Development
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Conference (WTDC-94) of the ITU in Buenos Aires An excellent national preparedness plan, the unanimously adopted Resolution 7 (Disaster Com- strict implementation of a building code which gives munications). The Resolution calls upon all ITU full consideration to the effects of cyclones and, Member States (currently 187 nations) to facilitate last but not least, the fact that only part of the the use of appropriate means of telecommunica- island was affected by the storm prevented, in this tions for disaster mitigation, preparedness and pre- particular case, the potentially tragic consequences vention, and disaster response, and to assist devel- of a loss of communications. oping countries which are prone to natural disasters It is important to remember that the telecom- to develop telecommunications-based early warn- munications network on which we all rely so un- ing systems. It also recommends the facilitation and thinkingly is a fragile structure. The communica- rapid deployment of telecommunications for dis- tion capabilities we take for granted every day can aster relief by the reduction or removal of regula- be lost in a matter of minutes during a disaster. tory barriers and the fostering of transboundary More effective use of existing technologies, which cooperation between States. will be promoted by the new Convention, as well In the same year, the ITU Plenipotentiary Confer- as the implementation of new technologies, such ence in Kyoto unanimously endorsed this Resolu- as mobile satellite-based telephones, have enor- tion. In 1995, the Convention on the Provision of mous potential to improve disaster response and Telecommunications Resources for Disaster Mitiga- to save many lives. tion and Relief Operations was drafted. This Con- Telecommunication technologies can play a vi- vention will be submitted to an intergovernmental tal role in disaster preparedness by carrying broad- conference in Geneva in early 1998. cast messages to radio and television, alerting the The optimum use of all available means of tele- population before a disaster strikes and giving clear communication is indispensable to effective disas- advice about what action should be taken. ter preparedness. The centralization of modern An effective disaster plan, combined with more networks means their vulnerability has increased: efficient use of telecommunications, will help to damage to one single piece of equipment had iso- minimize the impact of natural disasters, stream- lated Mauritius completely at the most critical time line the delivery of aid to victims, and help nations immediately following the impact of the storm. get back on their feet as quickly as possible.
Is this a radio?
he news reached the world within minutes: enough rescue teams and trained dogs to simul- a devastating earthquake had struck a coun- taneously search for survivors in a large number T try in central Asia. Thanks to today's sophis- of collapsed buildings. As part of the cooperative ticated telecommunications technology, news agen- international aid effort, many countries have disas- cies and other media were able to spread the word ter relief units on standby for immediate dispatch quickly, and no time was lost in soliciting interna- to any place in the world. In the case of this earth- tional help. The United Nations, as one of the lead- quake, only hours after the impact the first search- ing agencies in the field of humanitarian assistance, and-rescue team were touching down at the air- mobilized and coordinated appropriate resources port next to the affected town. from wherever they were available. Their equipment, including special tools to gain In case of a major disaster, even the best pre- access to survivors trapped under the debris of pared countries may need assistance from abroad: buildings, medical supplies and everything needed no single emergency service, for example, has to make the unit independent of any local resources
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for the duration of their operations, was quickly Silence. unloaded from the plane. In view of the desperate Then, "Does that mean that you have more situation, the otherwise often lengthy immigration radios?" procedures were waived, and team members were "Yes, and here are the licence documents for all issued with visas on the spot. Some initial difficul- of them", the leader replied, confidently. ties arose when a health official initially insisted that The team was eager to reach the town as quickly the team's indispensable helpers, the rescue dogs, as possible, as the survival of many could well de- would have to pass through quarantine. But a pend on the timeliness of their arrival. In the after- thorough explanation of their vital role in saving math of an earthquake, every minute counts — the lives, together with presentation of canine health chances of finding and rescuing people who are and vaccination certificates, quickly resolved the alive but trapped in narrow spaces underneath the problem. debris of buildings diminish rapidly with every pass-
Earthquake in the Province of Zanjan in Iran (Photo: Eslami Rad/Agence GAMMA) (ITU 970089)
"Is this a radio?" The immigration procedure ing hour. In the end, this simple little radio was to suddenly ground to a halt. The customs inspector cost the team a lot of precious time. looked at the walkie-talkie attached to the belt of "The papers you have are not valid in our coun- the red overall worn by the team leader. "Does it try. You have to apply for official radio permits and have a transmitter?" when they have been issued you need to bring them "Yes, we use it to communicate between the here before you can import the radio transmitters. members of the team, and with the on-site coordi- You see, this is what Article 389, paragraph 2, line nation centre which we are establishing", said the 4, says", was the considered response of the cus- leader. toms official.
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No amount of explaining or arguing served any A satirical story? Not at all. Unfortunately, this is purpose. But it was clear that some solution had to a true story, and by no means a unique case. But be found, and quickly. "Who will issue the licences?" why do international rescue teams have to fight asked the team leader. such bureaucratic red tape, while people wait in "The Ministry of Telecommunications", they were desperate straits to receive assistance? told. Today, we all take telecommunications for "How far is that from here?" asked the leader. granted. Mobile personal communications by cel- "It is in the centre of town, but it will be difficult lular telephone are now commonplace, even in the to go there because of the earthquake. The district larger cities of the developing world. News travels where all the government offices are, is very much across all borders in real time, and global commu- damaged. And it says here" — the inspector again nication networks are everyday tools in trade and consulted the book of import regulations — "that commerce.
Earthquake in Iran (Photo: Eslami Rad/Agence GAMMA) (ITU 970090)
you first need type approval for each radio before Deregulation, privatization and global roam- a licence can be issued, plus, of course, a valid ing are today key words in economics and policy radio operator's certificate". The team could hardly discussions. Yet things look very different when believe their ears — here they were, rushing to save it comes to practical application. Control over lives in a disaster zone, and someone was asking telecommunications is often seen by many coun- them to go through a lengthy administrative pro- tries as an essential element of national sover- cedure via offices whose staff were probably eignty. trapped under a collapsed building waiting for the Control over telecommunications means control arrival of this very rescue team. over every activity which uses them.
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"Earthquakes are a common occurrence in Latin note that Article 389 on the need for telecommu- America, says a seismologist, and early warning of nication licences has been amended to the effect the population depends on instruments positioned that this requirement is waived in case of an acute in remote locations in the mountains. When I go disaster for which the government requests or ac- to inspect and test these stations, I need to com- cepts international humanitarian assistance. "No municate with the monitoring centre via a walkie- problem," he could say, and without delay the team talkie. I hide it in my bag and use it only when I am could proceed to the place where they are needed sure that I am alone: if a policeman were to see me most. using it, I would be arrested. He would almost cer- Such a Utopian happy-ending may be possible tainly think that I was a subversive element com- from as early as next year because of work currently municating with a rebel base. And the same goes under way on the Convention on the Provision of for the rebels — someone with a radio is likely to Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitiga- be a policeman, so they would shoot me." tion and Relief Operations. The Convention, which But let us return for a moment to our stranded is a result of the joint efforts of several agencies rescue team. They finally leave the airport, minus including the United Nations Department of Hu- some of their telecommunications equipment. For- manitarian Affairs and the International Telecom- tunately, their mobile satellite terminal is in an un- munication Union, is expected to be adopted by marked box and goes undetected by the customs an international conference which will take place service. As well, some rescue workers have quickly in Geneva in early 1998. hidden their radios under their overalls, so they will The adoption of this Convention, and even more be able to implement at least some level of com- so its subsequent ratification and the modification munication — provided they do not encounter an- of national regulations, will depend largely on an other obstacle in the form of an official who might, understanding of the urgent need for it. In each in the worst case, arrest them for using telecom- country, national telecommunication authorities will munication equipment without a licence. Amaz- be asked for their views before foreign ministries ingly, even this scenario is not without precedent can instruct national delegations to the Conference — relief workers really have been arrested while to vote in favour of the Convention. The telecom- in the process of trying to save lives. These aid munication policy-makers will give favourable ad- workers also often risk their own lives in the course vice only if they are fully aware of the importance of their work, and their personal safety and secu- of reliable telecommunications for humanitarian rity may well depend on communication within the operations. team. The urgently needed facilitation of telecommu- Looking towards the future, what situation might nications for humanitarian work will therefore we be able to expect a rescue team to encounter depend on a close cooperation between emerg- as early as 1998? Together with the passports of ency managers and telecommunication policy- the rescuers, the health certificates for the dogs makers. and the list of equipment, the team leader may be No event could present a more suitable occa- able to present a copy of an International Conven- sion for the promotion of this cooperation than tion concerning the transborder use of telecom- the World Telecommunication Day. Together with munication equipment for disaster relief operations. the unanimous adoption of Resolutions on the fa- The annex of this document would show that the cilitation of disaster communications by WTDC-94 country which they are entering has signed the and the Kyoto Plenipotentiary Conference, World Convention and informed the depository, the Telecommunication Day 1997 will be one of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, of its rati- landmarks on the road towards the optimum use fication. of telecommunications in that most noble of causes The customs officer would consult the file with — the prevention and alleviation of human suffer- the latest amendments to national regulations, and ing caused by disasters. ■
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