If information is the currency of coordination, then connectivity is the lifeline that brings different actors—businesses, governments, humanitarian agencies, together in a meaningful exchange of information before, during and after crises. Last week, GSMA convened participants coming from across sectors* throughout Asia and the Pacific to gather in Clark, Philippines for the Humanitarian Connectivity Charter Workshop. I was there, too.
Most of the discussions focused on how to leverage partnerships with mobile network operators to improve how we prepare and respond to disasters. This is in line with the recently published report by GSMA which highlighted the potential implications of the lack, loss, or presence of connectivity in humanitarian crises, particularly on the delivery of humanitarian aid and coordination.
During the workshop, the key takeaways and red threads to many conversations reflected what participants from the private sector, governments and humanitarian agencies have been saying—that partnering with the private sector is important to address challenges when it comes to better coordination and the sharing of vital information.
The two-day workshop featured discussions on the application of early warning systems, a marketplace showcasing different mobile solutions for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, and an introduction to the humanitarian cluster system, to the OCHA/UNDP Connecting Business initiative, and to the global emergency telecommunications cluster.
However, my favorite part of the event was the visit to the business emergency operations center of our CBi Member Network in the country, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF). Having the participants see an actual emergency operations center that is run by a private sector network was helpful to visualize the coordination that happens between PDRF and their member companies, which include the two major mobile network operators in the country—PLDT Smart and Globe.
The private sector as enablers of mobile solutions for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery
CBi Member Networks around the world mostly include telecommunications companies among their members or partners on the ground. Member Networks in the region such as Fiji, Vanuatu, the Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka work closely with local mobile network operators and are actively engaged in discussions with their partners in government and humanitarian agencies when it comes to emergency communications and connectivity.
During the workshop, I facilitated a session to identify examples of the application of mobile technology in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, and to clarify the different roles that private sector actors play in each phase.
For preparedness, mobile network operators and private sector partners can be involved in
- The dissemination of timely and accurate information using weather forecasts and data analytics
- Promoting the use of mobile technology and digital solutions to address broader development issues (e.g., the use of mobile technology for financial inclusion, climate tech)
- Developing pre-agreements and partnerships with governments and humanitarian agencies to enhance preparedness efforts
In disaster response, mobile network operators and other private sector partners can help in
- Coordinating with government and humanitarian agencies to ensure timely and accurate exchange of vital information on restoring connectivity
- The timely activation of services such as intra circle roaming (the sharing of one operator’s network with another operator, the aim of which is to expand coverage in new locations) or priority routing of calls in the case of high traffic (for example, ensuring that government and humanitarian agencies can put calls through in the case of an emergency to facilitate cooperation and life-saving efforts).
- Setting up hotlines to support government efforts and enable greater coordination
When it comes to recovery, mobile network operators and private sector partners can support
- The use of digital cash transfer systems through mobile money
- Advocacy, information sharing, and communications to support rebuilding and capacity building in the affected areas
- Setting up hotlines for beneficiaries to provide feedback and ensure transparency and accountability to affected people
Leveraging the CBi global community of private sector networks to support the Humanitarian Connectivity Charter
This workshop underscored the vital role of a central private sector platform, such as PDRF, in convening mobile network operators for more effective coordination in preparedness and response activities. This is one of the reasons why organizations like CBi and our Member Networks have such important role to play – as a convener, a trust broker, and as a bridge between different industry players, governments, and humanitarian agencies.
As we continue our collaboration with GSMA, particularly in advocating for the Humanitarian Connectivity Charter, we aim to support mobile network operators and CBi Member Networks in the region and beyond, to improve crisis coordination and enhance our existing response protocols. The workshop served as a timely reminder of the valuable insights we gain from successful partnerships, emphasizing the need for more learning opportunities from mobile network operators and networks like PDRF to improve humanitarian response operations.
*Participants included representatives from the telecommunications industry, private sector networks, governments and non-governmental organizations, and United Nations agencies