| The devastating earthquake which struck in Haiti | | | | systems and networks. However, effective |
| on January 12th 2010 merely 10 miles from the | | | | communication and coordination between these |
| capital city of Port-au-Prince created a | | | | different factions, other aid workers and |
| humanitarian crisis of epic proportions affecting | | | | volunteers is imperative for an effective and |
| more than 20 per cent of Haiti's 9 million residents. | | | | comprehensive disaster management system. |
| Governments worldwide immediately offered their | | | | Further to this, in such adverse conditions, it is |
| support. The United States and China sent planes | | | | also key that any first response and emergency |
| full of supplies with other countries and millions of | | | | teams are well trained, self reliant and equipped |
| individuals joining to pledge their support and | | | | with the best and most reliable communication |
| donations during this humanitarian disaster. | | | | tools and hardware. It is almost impossible for a |
| Disasters in the form of natural catastrophe, such | | | | team to plan fully in advance as they may have |
| as earthquakes or hurricanes, or terrorist attacks | | | | no way of knowing where exactly they will be |
| and accidents can occur at any time and the usual | | | | going and indeed what existing systems may still |
| modes of communication might be lost or cease | | | | be working in the affected region. |
| to work in such a crisis. These disasters have a | | | | There is a necessity to communicate the true |
| devastating impact on human life, economy and | | | | scope and scale of the disaster to the outside |
| environment. | | | | world. Without the latest forms of communication |
| The response phase following any disaster | | | | technology these often desolate, far flung regions |
| involves the immediate mobilization of the | | | | would be entirely isolated. Governments and |
| necessary emergency services and first | | | | individuals worldwide would be unaware of the |
| responders in the disaster area. This is likely to | | | | severity of any such disaster and unable to |
| include a first wave of core emergency services, | | | | muster the huge support and aid relief that |
| such as the fire service, police, military and | | | | reliable, instantaneous and ongoing communication |
| ambulance crews who may have their own | | | | technology can now provide. |
| existing local or tactical form of communications | | | | |