Telco hosts disaster preparedness workshop

THE world’s mobile network operators, representatives from the Philippine government and the international donor community converged in Legazpi City, Albay to share industry best practices in preparing for and responding to disasters, particularly earthquakes.

The GSMA Group for Disaster Response’s workshop series was focused on earthquakes and how telcos are preparing for or have responded to such a situation.

Smart Communications Inc. was tapped to host the activity from June 19 to 20.

“Communications play a very crucial role in all phases of disaster management, especially in the coordination of relief and post-disaster management efforts,” said Ramon Isberto, head of Smart Public Affairs Group.

During the workshop, network operators shared how they responded to earthquakes from around the world; how they established effective partnerships with the government and NGOs; and how they ensured network resilience during earthquakes.

The United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also talked about the role of mobile operators as humanitarian responders during disasters. More often than not, telco personnel are the first ones on the scene following a disaster, which makes the task not only about ensuring that communications services are restored but also providing relief to the affected communities.