Inveneo Launches Response to Super Typhoon Haiyan
Online, November 15, 2013 (Newswire.com) - In the wake of Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally Yolanda), San Francisco-based non-profit Inveneo is sending a team to assess the damages and aid in recovery efforts. Inveneo specializes in information and communications technology (ICT) in remote areas, a key component of response efforts.
The initial assessment team includes Andris Bjornson, Inveneo's CTO and Clark Ritchie, an Inveneo engineer. Inveneo's Executive Director Bruce Baikie recently returned from the Philippines after an ICT-related assessment north of Manila, working with partner UMCOM to create their typhoon response plan.
"Our initial priority is to get our assessment team on the ground," said Baikie. "In responses situations like this plans can change quickly; we're already working with partners on the ground to determine where our team will be most effective."
Deploying ICT in disaster response situations is nothing new for Inveneo. The organization previously responded to 2009 the Haitian earthquake, building a network that today covers roughly 30% of the country and is used by two major telecoms. Building robust communications infrastructure quickly is valuable to residents of affected areas as well as aid organizations coordinating their response efforts.
"Our main focus after a natural disaster is restoring communications to responders," said Aaron Mason, Inveneo's Sr. Communications Manager. "Our team is working to make sure that organizations on the ground have the communications tools they need to effectively coordinate their response."
Inveneo is currently soliciting donations to help assess and rebuild communications infrastructure in areas affected by Super Typhoon Hiayan. For more information or to support our efforts visit http://inveneo.org/donate
About Inveneo - Inveneo is a San Francisco-based 501(c)(3) non-profit social enterprise that designs and delivers sustainable computing and better access to broadband Internet to those who need it most in the developing world. Inveneo enables organizations working in developing areas to better serve people in need transforming lives through access to education, healthcare, economic opportunity and relief. Inveneo and its partners have delivered projects in 25+ countries and is impacting the lives of over 3 million people in some of the poorest and most challenging regions in the developing world.