1 Amateur Radio In Tsunami Disaster Relief Communications SRI LANKAN EXPERIENCE Victor Goonetilleke – 4S7VK (President) Ernest Amarasinghe – 4S7EA (Senior Vice President) Kusal Epa – 4S7KE (Secretary) The Radio Society of Sri Lanka

2 Introducing Sri Lanka Land extent 65,610 Km 2 Land extent 65,610 Km 2 20 million population 20 million population Per capita income – US$ 1000 per year Per capita income – US$ 1000 per year Resources concentrated in Western province Resources concentrated in Western province

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4 26 th December 2004

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

7 RSSL - when Tsunami struck 120 licensed members (35 active) 120 licensed members (35 active) No office / operations building and equipment No office / operations building and equipment No vehicles or transportation No vehicles or transportation In the process of formulating disaster preparedness plan In the process of formulating disaster preparedness plan

8 Action taken Contact established with Prime Minister’s office Contact established with Prime Minister’s office Mobilised members Mobilised members Teams left Colombo for coastal towns to set up communication points Teams left Colombo for coastal towns to set up communication points

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

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

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15 Situation in Disaster Areas No food /water / shelter No food /water / shelter Lack of law and order Lack of law and order Panic and chaos Panic and chaos Threat of diseases and epidemics Threat of diseases and epidemics Lack of coordination in relief operations Lack of coordination in relief operations

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

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

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

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

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22 Our Sincere Thanks …. Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) The Radio Amateurs of JARL for all the wonderful support and friendship during and after the tragic Tsunami of December 25 th, 2004.

23 Q & A Thank you