May 22nd, 2013
Having already been working alongside Syrian doctors for more than a year thanks to 15 satellite lines and 9 broadband connections in different hospitals of Syria, Télécoms Sans Frontières is increasing its support to the Syrian people by intervening directly among refugees on the borders of Turkey.
TSF provides broadband communications for the humanitarian aid coordination
TSF has set up a satellite connection for GOAL - international humanitarian NGO present in the North-East of the country. Télécoms Sans Frontières is supporting GOAL in its humanitarian aid operations to families, carried out as part of a program of emergency response to the population affected by the Syrian conflict.
Al Salama camp is located close to the Turkish border at the edge of the main road to Aleppo and currently hosts 15,000 Syrian refugees. There are new arrivals every day fleeing bombings taking place only 10 km away.
TSF installed a broadband satellite connection for the refugee Registration Centre, managed by the new Syrian Red Crescent, as well as for the logistics Coordination Centre, to enable communication of refugee needs in real time.
Al Salama camp is the humanitarian aid main coordination point in the border area of Aleppo. Beyond the 15,000 refugees in Al Salama, this humanitarian aid also serves hundreds of thousands of Syrians who are not in camps. The Coordination Centre reinforces medical support, food and basic goods distribution up to Aleppo.
10 satellite broadband connections for medical coordination in Syria
Since September 2012, TSF has installed nine satellite connections in nine hospitals in major cities of Syria.
Each hospital now about 50 Gb per month, which makes a total of 450 Gb that allows the sending of medical imaging, diagnosis, drug lists...
Besides, the 15 voice satellites lines TSF distributed throughout the whole territory, has allowed 118 hours of communication for the repatriation logistics of wounded civilians to neighboring countries of Syria.
TSF was one of the first international NGOs to enter this country deeply affected by conflict. According to UN data, the civil war that has lasted for more than 2 years, has caused nearly 80,000 deaths and displaced millions of civilians who now face extremely difficult living conditions and constant insecurity.
The vital need for communication continues to grow; TSF will therefore continue to support medical organizations in Syria.