Galway company heads for Philippines to aid relief response

A Galway-based emergency communications company is heading for the Philippines to help in the disaster response effort following Typhoon Haiyan. And their first task will be to set up internet access, voice and data communications services for two temporary hospitals.

Disaster Tech Lab – which is based in Portumna – will be visiting the area north of Cebu and will provide internet access for local and foreign relief organisations.

The company is an Irish charitable trust which develops technologies and provides communications equipment in disaster zones for use by emergency services, NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) and locals.

Founder Evert Bopp told the Connacht Tribune: “The chaotic scenes resulting in loss of life and waste of resources during disaster relief work can be alleviated by fast set of communications solutions.

“We are sending our first team to the Philippines next week and concentrating on the area north of Cebu, which has been badly hit, but is receiving far less attention and aid than Tacloban.

“With the huge influx of disaster relief workers into the Philippines the need for communications has drastically increased. We will help by providing Internet access via WiFi in several locations to local and foreign relief organisations.

“We have been in ongoing contact with a number of people and organisations in the Philippines and have planned to assist two temporary hospitals with internet access and communications services to begin with.

“We will do this through hardware, their customised software, and the effort volunteers who are experts in these areas of technology,” said Mr Bopp.

He said the organisation expects to rotate teams of volunteers in and out of Philippines for at least three months but probably longer.

And while they have flights and equipment ready, they still have room for more volunteers. 

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.