Amateur Radio In Tsunami Disaster Relief Communications

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Amateur Radio In Tsunami Disaster Relief
Communications
The Radio Society of Sri Lanka

• SRI LANKAN EXPERIENCE
• Asantha Illesinghe 4S7AK (Treasurer)
• Kusal Epa 4S7KE (Secretary)

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Introducing Sri Lanka

• Land extent 65,610 Km2
• 20 million population
• Per capita income US 1000 per year
• Resources concentrated in Western province

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26th December 2004
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Tsunami

• Never heard before
• 30,000 dead, over 1 million displaced
• Government/Emergency services unable to cope
• Contact lost with coastal towns, Telecom services
  down, coastal road washed away

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RSSL - when Tsunami struck

• 120 licensed members (35 active)
• No office / operations building and equipment
• No vehicles or transportation
• In the process of formulating disaster
  preparedness plan

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Action taken

• Contact established with Prime Ministers office
• Mobilised members
• Teams left Colombo for coastal towns to set up
  communication points

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Challenges

• Access Roads Damaged
• Power Supply - Disrupted
• Telephone /Mobile phone Service
  Damaged/Congested
• Complete isolation of affected areas

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Communication Points

• 40m 7.060 MHz
• Vehicle Batteries (12V) No power supply
• Tx Power 5W, Battery operated
• Mobile unit using VHF through a repeater
• Medical/relief traffic terminated at Disaster
  Management Centre at Prime Ministers Residence

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Situation in Disaster Areas

• No food /water / shelter
• Lack of law and order
• Panic and chaos
• Threat of diseases and epidemics
• Lack of coordination in relief operations

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Strengths

• Dedicated and committed volunteers
• Experienced Ham operators
• Active Hams willing to use their own equipment
  for disaster relief operations
• Prompt assistance from foreign Hams

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Lessons learnt

• Ensure adequate supplies (fuel, batteries backup
  rigs, supplies)
• Be self-sufficient (take food, water, etc)
• Transmit accurate and authentic traffic
• Arrange additional teams to relieve operators

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Improvements

• Stations should be initiated at regional level
• Liaise with Government Authorities
• Training for relief disaster operations
• Conduct simulated exercises
• Prepare training manual

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Future Strategy

• Comprehensive Disaster Preparedness Programme
  liaising with Government Authorities
• Connection to Echolink Network
• Communication points throughout the country
• Training at school level Scouts and Girl Guides

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Our Sincere Thanks .

• GAREC 2005 Organising Committee
• Finnish Amateur Radio League (SRAL)
• The International Amateur Radio Union
• All foreign Hams and Organisations
• The International Community

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Q A

• http//www.qsl.net/rssl
• Thank you