2014 Syrian Arab Republic Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan (SHARP)

SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE RESPONSE PLAN 2014
EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Lead agency: WFP (World Food Program)
PEOPLE IN NEED
Humanitarian
Community
PEOPLE TARGETED
Humanitarian
Community
REQUIREMENTS (US$)
# OF PARTNERS
Humanitarian Community (UN Agencies/ NGOs utilizing common services)
Sector Strategy
Access to telecommunications remains very limited inside Syria, and in many areas not available at all.
Operational challenges include deteriorating security situation, licensing issues including of satellite
communication and radio networks, procurement and importation of equipment, limited security
telecommunications coverage across the country, restricted access due to deteriorating security, lack of
reliable local infrastructure, difficulty in inter-sector coordination due to the lack of adequate communications
and staff safety and security concerns due to the lack of operational COMCENs (Radio Rooms) with coverage
in all operational areas. Given that the humanitarian community is planning for an increased case load in and
around Syria, the ETC will accordingly be required extend its planned service provision to cater for this.
However, these expansion of operations remain dependent on improved access to the affected areas, and
expansion of regional operations supporting the Syria operation
The main focus of the ETC in 2014 will be ensuring and enabling operating environment/protection of all
humanitarian operations to respond to emergencies by implementing data connectivity, basic security
telecommunications and their backup power in three hubs and enhance security telecommunications
Through implementation of activities, the ETC will enable the humanitarian community to minimize risks and
implement an efficient emergency response. ETC also will continue to standardize ICT platforms, provide
training and procedures to avoid duplication and ensure cost effective services.
Sector Activities:
Coordinate Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) activities in Syria in close cooperation with the
humanitarian community in the wider region.
Liaise with local authorities for importation of emergency ICT equipment and approval of licenses that may be
required.
Provide security telecommunications, voice and data connectivity services to the humanitarian community to
improve operational and security environment for staff and assets.
Maintain an information management platform for information sharing on ETC activities and other related
issues.
Provide training to humanitarian workers on the use of common telecommunications equipment and services.
Coordinate and build preparedness capacity to ensure adequate support can be provided to any expansion of
humanitarian operations.
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