PCCW Global, the international operating division of HKT, Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider, and disaster communications organization Télécoms Sans Frontières have received official recognition from the Mozambique National Institute for Disaster Management (INGC) for their combined and ongoing mission to provide critical communications services in support of relief efforts following two tropical cyclones which devastated the southern African country recently.

Cyclone Idai earlier made landfall near Mozambique’s fourth largest city of Beira, tearing through Mozambique’s coastal region and bringing hurricane-force winds, heavy rains and flooding to the provinces of Zambezia, Sofala, Manica and Tete. More than 1,000 people lost their lives as a result of Idai and thousands more have been injured or displaced.

The cyclone also devastated the region’s electricity and communications infrastructure, frustrating disaster response teams that require effective communications in order to coordinate emergency services and relief efforts. Beira city itself suffered extensive damage, with almost 80% of the economic infrastructure destroyed.

One month later, Mozambique was struck by yet another tropical cyclone, Kenneth, resulting in the deaths of more than 40 people, displacing a further 21,000, and again damaging infrastructure critical for rescue and relief efforts.

Supported by PCCW Global’s team in Mozambique, TSF was among the first humanitarian organizations to reach Beira, which was only accessible by air in the wake of Idai’s devastation. Initially, one VSAT communications system was installed in the Matarara coordination center, from which relief operations to five surrounding communities were conducted. A second VSAT was also installed at the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) cholera treatment center in Mafambisse.

A further two VSATs provided by PCCW Global have been handed over to Mozambique’s INGC, enabling the organization to rapidly deploy critical communications for any similar emergency in the country. Training for INGC teams to be able to install and operate the equipment has already been scheduled.

TSF and PCCW Global have received an official letter of thanks from INGC Deputy General Director, Casimiro dos Santos Teresa Abreu, for providing communications support and Internet services for the organization during relief operations.