バヌアツの被害状況が刻々とわかって来る。
今朝は少しグッドニュースで、人口の80％２０万人が住む６５の離島の通信が遮断されているとのことであったが、北部マレクラの Lakatoroという中心地からUSPNet（南太平洋大学遠隔教育ネット）の一部が無事で、首都ヴィラと被害状況の交信ができているとのこと。
現地のボランティアや観光客も、母国の家族と連絡を取ることができたらしい。
日本の協力隊もマレクラに入っているようのなで無事を祈りたい。
下記のメッセージを書いたICT技術者は、災害時の通信と交通がいかに重要か、という事を強調している。
ちなみにUSPNetは、過去にもサイクロン被害やフィジーのクーデターの中、代替通信ネットワークとして機能してきた歴史がある。
Hello Everyone,
I am glad to have pull through Cyclone PAM from Port Vila witnessing severe damages in town. Unelco has powered up Port Vila alone since yestyerday evening around 6:00pm and the outskirts are still out awaiting further powerline repairs.
Anyways, COMMUNICATIONS is one prominent factor for most remote areas througout Vanuatu anticipating TVL and Digicel services. Fortunately for me I was able to assist with the Malampa province all day today from around 8:00am until 7:30pm. USP's VSAT system was the only internet connection at Lakatoro to Vila through Skype with AHITEC's assistance we were able to relay to these Government response team in Vila. Persons like:
Mr. Peter Korisa (NDMO acting Director) was able to communicate with Malampa's Secretary General to relate assesment tasks needed. From what I have heard from their conversation transport amongst islands will be by boats and relating assesments to Vila will take roughly 4-5 days depeding on communications if they are available. Peter has mention that disater relief organisations are ready to help, however they need assesments reports in by the next two to three days and that will be problematic due to transport & communication problems.
Mr. Ambata (PWD Port Vila) was able to communicate with Mr. Fred (PWD Malampa) relating necessary measures to address current situation in road access. Mr. Abata was thankful but is facing communication difficulties relating the same information to the other four provinces (excluding Shefa).
Mr. Erickson (Acting director Geology & Mines) was able to communicate Mr. Graham (Geology & Hard office in Malampa) for their response and assesments to assist province assesment team. It is the same difficulty for them to communciate with the other four provinces (excluding Shefa).
Mr. Noel from Norsup Hospital was able to relate his messages to Mr. Jamerson for the referals and emergencies situation to Santo and Vila.
National Bank Branch in Malampa was trying to get hold of Port Vila managers and through this Skype link I have relate their managers approval to open up their services to allow withdrawals and open up Branch from 10:00am to 2:00pm with limited maximum cash-out only allowed. NBV system is still down in Vila and for most braches around Vanuatu you can imgaine how difficult people will have access to cash for their daily need and even transfer money to their loved ones.
Roughly 60+ families seek assistance to relate messages back and forth through their families in Vila and Malekula. Everyone were thankfully happy for this communication services we have provided today. It is something I will remember for the rest of my life to be able assist through this form of ICT service and in such time of need.
Also a few stranded tourists and volunteers at Malekula were able to communicate with their families and relatives through Emails, Chats, and Audio. What a relief for them!
Does anyone know of any timeframe,TVL & Digicel telecommuniation services to be restored for most provinces? At least for everyone to have some fair idea when they will expect to communicate with their families after this disaster.
Lessons will be learned from Cyclone PAM from: Disaster Response Teams, Disaster assement reporting, Relief & Rebuilding efforts, dependable services for all people from Port Vila to all other provinces, etc.... From what I have learned today Communication and Transport would be the most factors needed after a disater like Cyclone PAM.
Sorry for the long write-up and thank you for reading this. I hope everyone will gain some insight of how difficult these remote areas are in terms of communication as we speak.
May God bless the People of the Republic of VANUATU - "LONG GOD YUMI STANDAP" - in God we can stand together and pull through this disaster.
