Martin Falebrand of Ericsson Response has long been a partner of WFP's Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC). Nepal marks his latest emergency with the Cluster. In humanitarian operations, such as the one in Nepal, in partnership with the ETC Ericsson Response deploys WIDER, a tool that manages and distributes internet connectivity.

Q: How does WIDER help in a humanitarian emergency?

A: The WIDER solution helps humanitarian relief workers from all organizations, in a cost efficient way, to access the internet in places where other means of communication is scarce. It also gives the ETC the possibility to monitor the system so it can be maintained and to make sure the system is used in the most optimal way. It can quickly be re-located or re-prioritized to other locations where the need for common services might be even bigger or that the focus of humanitarian efforts are changed to other locations.

Q: Why did Ericsson Response decide to sync the WIDER system in the Nepal emergency? What kind of impact did it have?

A: During the Nepal deployment, it was decided to use the new feature of syncing the databases in the different systems within Nepal, making the different locations more or less seamless. This is making access to the services even easier and there is no need for multiple accounts for users traveling between the different locations.

Q: What will you take away from the operation in Nepal?

A: The ETC teamwork during the Nepal mission shows how well all organizations within the cluster step up making it one team, independent on what logo you have on your t-shirt. It is one team – the ETC.

Q: What were the main challenges in terms of equipment?

A: After several missions in recent years with the cluster and stand-by partners, I would say that the machinery within the ETC is now very well-oiled. Maybe not yet perfect, but in regards to the amount of sites and equipment we now deploy and with a few hiccups on the way, I would say we are pretty close to perfection.

Q: Any wisdom to pass on to your replacement/s?

A: Make sure to continue the team spirit within the ETC and not step down on our level of service just because the emergency is now moving in to more of a maintenance phase. We still have the possibility to re-prioritize our services or even expand if the need is there and we should not hesitate to do so. And make sure you have fun!

Suzanne Fenton, World Food Programme (WFP), deployed as ETC IM Officer, catches up with Martin out in the field.