HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

Year in year out, major humanitarian crises occur throughout the world as a result of disasters of either industrial or natural origin (tsunamis, hurricanes, quakes, etc.) or terrorist attacks.
In these circumstances, traditional means of communication are frequently knocked out. This induces an improvisation phase which impedes emergency aid team access to and coordinated intervention at the disaster site. Telecommunications, Earth observation and location/navigation satellites can be called into play, at a moments notice and anywhere in the world, to provide assistance for humanitarian actions.


Key factors for crisis management

rapid intervention and assessment of needs to contain the humanitarian consequences of a major crisis;

establishment of secure communications in the field and with remote centres (control units, hospitals, airports, etc.);

sharing of information and comprehensive knowledge of the disaster for all players in situ;

coordination and monitoring of the emergency aid teams to achieve maximum effectiveness for the relief provided;

recourse to decision-making aid services.