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Issue 1 // October 2018

Emergency Telecommunications Sector North-East Nigeria

Emergency Telecommunications Sector Services available in North-East Nigeria The Emergency Telecommunications Sector (ETS) was activated on 23 November 2016 to address the critical ICT gaps in the North-East Nigeria. The fulfilment of these gaps will enable humanitarians on the ground to carry out their jobs efficiently and safely, ultimately assisting more people and saving more lives.

The following ETS services are available to the entire humanitarian community at no cost

Security telecommunications

Voice services

Call sign and radio ID allocation: Access to security telecommunications network in common operational areas

Access to the Push-To-Talk (PTT) satellite-based voice network in North-East Nigeria.

Radio programming

Coordination and technical advice

End-user training: A dedicated radio trainer to provide the humanitarian community with the skills to use radio equipment properly

Data connectivity

The ETS engages with humanitarian organisations to identify operational common needs and coordinate a coherent response.

Information Management products are regularly produced and disseminated to ensure informed decision- making.

The ETS provides detailed information and guidance on security telecommunications, data connectivity and voice services queries from humanitarian organisations.

Internet cafe - Shared basic Internet connectivity accessible from a single/central location (not distributed to distant offices).

Disclaimer

The ETS does not provide organisations with end user equipment. Each organisation is responsible for procuring its own IT/telecommunications equipment as well as for customs clearance procedures.

The equipment installed by the ETS remains its property. The receiving organisation is responsible for keeping it in good working condition. The ETS will conduct the required maintenance and technical support as necessary.

Deployment of services / equipment is subject to a prior site assessment by the ETS. The usage of connectivity services deployed by the ETS must adhere to the UN connectivity policy.

The ETS does not carry out equipment installation services for individual organisations.

Send your request to Nigeria.ETS@wfp.org call or WhatsApp us at 09070276556

or visit us at: Red Roof Humanitarian Base Camp in MaiduguriMala Kachala House

www.etcluster.org/emergencies/nigeria-crisis

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The ETS in North-East Nigeria is led by

www.facebook.com/EmergencyTelecommunicationsCluster

And this is how the Internet was born in

“Red Roof”, Nigeria In Maiduguri, capital of the north-eastern Nigerian state of Borno, little things make a big difference. When the first phase of the International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP) base camp, known as “Red Roof” was completed in mid-January, the first question humanitarians asked as they moved in was: “Is there Internet here?” Internet services from local providers are not always reliable which can impact the work of the response community on the ground.

MAIDUGURI

The Emergency Telecommunications Sector team had everything under control. As soon as the connectivity equipment from ETC member Ericsson Response arrived in Maiduguri, Serge Seide, ETS IT specialist, started installing the access points to provide Internet services across the camp.

But something important was still needed to get the Internet.

ETC member Government of Luxembourg deployed an emergency.lu satellite kit to the ETS operation, providing connectivity services for six months. This equipment travelled over 6,000 km and finally arrived in Maiduguri on 11 February.

And after a few hours of hard work, the ETS team successfully completed the installation of the satellite kit and the Internet was born in Maiduguri. Less than three hours after being operational, over 20 humanitarians were already using the ETS Internet services at the camp. These services allow the response community to meet the urgent humanitarian needs in North-East Nigeria better and faster.

ETS Nigeria 2018 Activities Overview

Since its activation in November 2016, the Emergency Telecommunications Sector has been providing shared communications services to humanitarians in North-East Nigeria. These services enable a more efďŹ cient and safer humanitarian response in areas with limited or unavailable services from local communications service providers.

January – mid-September 2018

Geidam

Monguno Dikwa

Damaturu

Borno

Ngala

Maiduguri

Maiduguri Monguno

Rann

Gwoza

average number of daily users

Banki Banki

Ngala

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Rann

Gwoza

22 18

92

organisations

humanitarians from 30 organisations trained on radio standards procedures

50+

Information Management products (maps, SitReps, factsheets, meeting minutes)

Madagali Michika

Locations with operational ETS services

Damaturu

Mubi

Yobe

Gujba Geidam

Locations with planned ETS services

INTERNET USERS

25

Bama

from

Ngala Bama

Gujba

Gwoza

29

Monguno

Dikwa

370

32

Dikwa

Damasak Damasak

68

Maiduguri

Bama

Yola

Madagali Adamawa

Michika Mubi Yola

NIGERIA

66

FUNDING NEEDS

registered devices from WFP,UNICEF and WHO under the coverage provided by the ETS to enable Push-To Talk satellite-based voice communications

DMR PROJECT Enhancing the security telecommunications network in Maiduguri and Damaturu with advanced digital (DMR) features

US$5.5million

44% of the total ETS funding needs has been covered.

US$3.08m The ETS is appealing for the remaining US$3.9 million required to carry out its project until the end of 2018

PARTNERS AND DONORS SUPPORTING THE ETS OPERATION The ETS in Nigeria is led by

www.etcluster.org/emergencies/nigeria-crisis Nigeria.ETS@wfp.org

This infographic was produced with data available as of 17 September 2018

Voices from North-East Nigeria: How ETS services are supporting humanitarian operations SYLVIA OPINIA from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) arrived to Red Roof at the beginning end of January this year – making her the first female residence of Red Roof and since then, she has received radio training, support and Internet services from the ETS. As lead of the Gender-Based Violence subsector in North-East Nigeria, she needs to engage constantly with partners on the ground. “3G services are very unreliable and I make most of my conference calls from the Red Roof as the Internet is much more stable than in my office,” Sylvia explains. “I want to emphasize the professionalism and the accessibility of the ETS team at all times.

During my time as Officer in Charge (OIC) in UNFPA, I had to liaise with them regarding the installation of radios in the cars and programming of radios for new staff and the ETS team was always very responsive.”

Although based in Abuja, MIRIAM KPANAKI from Christian Aid UK spends extended periods in Maiduguri. This Humanitarian Programme Officer is the coordinator of the Emergency Humanitarian Response project funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), a key ETS donor. She helps some of the most vulnerable populations affected by the conflict in Konduga, close to Maiduguri. When I asked her about the Internet services provided by the ETS, she replied firmly: “The most reliable services in Maiduguri. Every night I have to coordinate activities, organise partners and write reports. I know I can count on the ETS connectivity services to finalise my tasks on time.”

But not all the action is happening in Maiduguri, the ETS nerve centre. ETS team members travel extensively across Borno and Yobe states to ensure the communications needs of the humanitarian community responding to the emergency are addressed. Due to the volatile humanitarian situation, a WFP security officer accompanies the team in each of the missions.

ABDOSH OSMAN joined one of the ETS missions to Gwoza.

There are three things that he never leaves behind: a heavy black trauma backpack, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for the team and his Iridium Push-To-Talk (PTT) device. The PPT service is provided by the ETS to the humanitarian community.

It has an operational coverage of 300,000 km2 across North-East Nigeria and the bordering areas of Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

“The value of effective communications is vital in this unpredictable context. Without them, we could not conduct missions in deep field locations where voice and data services are not available from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs),” explains Abdosh, “the Iridium PTT is a cost-effective, user-friendly and reliable solution, allowing easy communications with the Communications Centre (COMCEN) and timely emergency reporting.”

KEZIAH PATRICK, who works at the Comprehensive Woman Centre run by IRC in Gwoza, took part in the training: “As we conduct interventions with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and local communities in several field locations, I have been using radios to communicate with my colleagues about staff movements and reporting incidents,” she says, “but I did not know the basic radio language. This is the first ever radio training I have received and I feel more confident now about communicating effectively over the radio”, Keziah concludes.

Abdullahi Abdulrazak is a Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) officer from Plan International and usual guest at the hub in Gwoza.

Under the mango tree that offers shade for the social area, Abdullahi described the cash transfer activities that Plan International is carrying out in Gwoza. “Without the Internet provided by the ETS at this camp, we could not upload the beneficiary data collected to our database,” he points out, “we would have to take the mobile devices to Maiduguri and upload the information there.

This would have a huge impact on the timely delivery of assistance.”

When trying to achieve a project in an emergency operation, sometimes it is hard to reflect on how the activities carried out have an impact on the overall response. Miriam, Abdosh, Keziah and Abdullahi are a few examples of how the ETS is serving humanitarians daily. Their stories encourage the passionate ETS team to continue delivering high quality services across North-East Nigeria.

Standard ETS radio equipment and services in North-East Nigeria

Call sign and radio ID allocation

Security telecommunications - related services offered

Radio programming End-user training Technical guidance Pistachios Consumptions in f

Digital Mobile Radios VHF handheld radios Motorola DP4801e series Antenna Band 152- 174 MHz

VHF mobile and base station radios Motorola DM4601e series (mobile radios with GPS antenna) Country of Origin Brazil & South

Great for pregnant women

HF radios CODAN Envoy X2 mobile station

CODAN Envoy X2 base station

ETS Nigeria User Satisfaction Survey August 2018 - Key Highlights Survey conducted from 30 July to 26 August 2018

7% local NGOs

3% Government

The Emergency Telecommunications Sector in Nigeria delivered services to over 1,200 humanitarians so far in 2018. A User Feedback Survey circulated in August to assess service quality, the results of which are used to help improve communications services for the entire response community.

93.6% Internet

Most accessed ETS services

overall user satisfaction rate

Security telecommunications

Push-to-talk satellite-based voice solution

Radio programming

Radio training

96.61%

93.22%

94.11%

203

humanitarians responded

36% INGOs

88.2%

95.45%

54% UN agencies

Security Internet telecommunications used by 68.8% used by 23.35% of of respondents respondents

Coordination and Information Management (IM) 30% of respondents attended the local ETS/Logistics Sector Working Groups. Out of those, 95% are satisďŹ ed with the information received.

Next steps User feedback will be incorporated into ETS plans and activities.

Partners and donors supporting the ETS operation

26% of the respondents are aware of ETS IM products. Out of those, 99% are satisďŹ ed.

59% of the respondents have visited the ETCluster.org website.

Full report can be found at: The ETS in Nigeria is led by WFP

Push-to-talk satellite-based voice solution (used by 13.85%) Radio training (used by 13.28%)

www.facebook.com/EmergencyTelecommunicationsCluster Nigeria.ETS@wfp.org / www.etcluster.org/emergencies/nigeria-crisis

In light of multiple requests to increase bandwidth in humanitarian hubs, the ETS will revisit needs and respond accordingly.

The ETS will heighten advocacy efforts among the wider humanitarian community as well as among IT staff.

Push-To-Talk

satellite-based voice solution Satellite-based voice services provided by the Iridium Push-To-Talk (PTT) solution are proven to be reliable in North-East Nigeria, supporting humanitarian operations in deep field locations where services provided by local Mobile Network Operators (MNO) are not available.

Besides working as a standard satellite phone, the Iridium Extreme 9575 has an additional feature called Push-To-Talk which users can use to communicate among themselves by simply pressing a button, similarly to how a VHF radio network operates. The Emergency Telecommunications Sector (ETS) is providing a network coverage area in the most-affected northeastern states and Abuja in which the PTT feature can be used.

Services supported by the ETS* PTT coverage and connectivity of 300,000 km2 provided in North-East Nigeria and Abuja, and also Diffa in Niger, Ndjamena in Chad and Maroua in Cameroon.

The coverage area can be adjusted based on the requirements

Talkgroup management Organisation-specific talkgroups UN COMCEN monitoring

24/7

Technical support and advice available

Coverage map

Features

A solution which gives you access to the UN Communications Centres (COMCEN) in the deep field and to other users on the same Iridium PTT network/talk group from locations where GSM and VHF networks are not available

Provides quick access to multiple communication services including voice calling, SMS, and SOS in phone mode (SIM required) and PTT mode

User-friendly and useful push-to-talk handheld satellite based system coupled with additional accessories, the handheld can be used inside office and aboard a vehicle

For pricing details and technical advice, please contact: Nigeria.ETS@wfp.org *Organisations are responsible for the procurement of their own equipment.

ETS services: A lifeline for humanitarians Since 2009,Nigerians living in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states have witnessed the devastating effects of the conflict in the North-East part of Nigeria. The conflict in these states has exacerbated poverty, illiteracy rates and unemployment among the near seven million people who require daily humanitarian assistance. As the crisis shows no signs of winding down, humanitarian organisations work round-the-clock to ensure vital assistance reaches the most vulnerable in a timely manner.

To facilitate the response in remote parts of Borno state, humanitarian hubs were established in Maiduguri, Gwoza, Bama, Ngala and Dikwa. These hubs provide critical ETS Internet connectivity and security telecommunications services enabling humanitarians to conduct their activities in a safe and efficient manner. Hubs are essential for aid workers. They act as one-stop shops that cover basic humanitarian work requirements: office spaces, secure accommodations, storage areas and communications services.

In October 2017, Aboubacar Guindo, a Programme and Policy Officer with the World Food Programme (WFP) went on mission in North-East Nigeria to assess and identity affected community needs in Gwoza.

Aboubacar describes how him and his team were caught up in a two-hour shooting between the Nigerian army and non-state armed groups.

Fortunately, there were no casualties. Mission members had to report immediately the incident to UN security and WFP management to act accordingly.

“Satellite phone services provided by the ETS in Gwoza allowed us to inform WFP quickly and take immediate action including organising psychological support as soon as we landed at Maiduguri airport. The ETS Internet services at the hub were extensively used by the mission members to get the much-needed support from colleagues and loved ones worldwide”, Aboubacar concludes.

“Located 153 Km southeast of Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, Gwoza is a town where almost everything has been destroyed. If you are lucky enough to see a smartphone on the streets, it is probably being used as a calculator”, Aboubacar explains. “In fact, the national electricity company as well as the local Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) have not yet returned to Gwoza to help reconnect the hundred thousand inhabitants of the city with the outside world”, he continues.

Luckily, the ETS connectivity services at the hub helped fill the communication gaps from local MNOs and allowed Aboubacar to carry out his work effectively. “I was able to share the data collected in a timely manner during the mission.

This was crucial for the team. We benefited from remote assistance provided by experts based in Maiduguri during the important and delicate process of beneficiary targeting”, he emphasizes.

Communications is the link to survival.

The Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) is a global network of organizations that work together to provide common communications services in humanitarian emergencies. Partners of the ETC consist of humanitarian, private sector and government organizations that have an interest in humanitarian assistance, support the achievement of the mandate of the ETC and actively participate in or contribute to ETC activities at the global and local levels.

In Nigeria, all clusters are being referred to as sectors. The ETC is therefore operating as the ETS with all project plans, appeals, services and deployments adhering to established procedures.

For more information about the ETS in Nigeria visit the website www.etcluster.org/emergencies/nigeria-crisis, contact Nigeria.ETS@wfp.org / 090 7027 6556 or visit us at our oďŹƒces in Red Roof (Mala Kachala House) in Maiduguri.