Local infrastructure and disaster response in Asia | 05.20.2008 | 09:22:09 | Views: 6627 | ID: May 20 '08: According to PC World dependence on the telecommunications infrastructure in the developing world is growing and that after the recent natural disasters in Myanmar and in China groups like Telecoms Sans Frontiers are rushing to rebuild the communications infrastructure to help with response and recovery operations. Currently, TSF has said that they are still waiting for entry visas issued by the Burmese military junta which is in power in Myanmar. Additionally, TSF has offered aid to the Chinese government to help with recovery efforts in Sichuan province. To prepare for disasters, the organization regularly holds emergency response simulation exercises wherein participants will test scenarios such as earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters. According to the New York Times, during Kenya's election turmoil this past year, many poorer families were having a hard time finding enough money to keep their mobile phone plans current and pay for food. In many cases, families were sacrificing their food to be able to talk on a phone. PC World reported, "Four recognized basic necessities of life - not to be confused with human rights - are food, water, shelter and fire. ... in some parts of rural Uganda and Kenya at least - people are putting communications above food and fire (and perhaps above water and shelter). It begs the question: should communication now be considered the fifth basic necessity of life?" And because telecommunications is a for-profit industry in many cases, non-profits like Kiwanja.net were begun to provide the latest communications technology to response and humanitarian organizations who may have little funding. On its website, the organization said its goal was to develop a "key focus on developing countries, and a particular emphasis on low-cost, grassroots, sustainable solutions." National Blueprint Tags: Economic & Infrastructure.
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