Natural disasters kill approximately 40,000 to 50,000 people per year, and they come unexpectedly. In times of crisis and emergencies, we often reach for our phones to check the news and to connect with our loved ones. In extreme situations, we ask for help from local agencies that are equipped to deploy a rescue operation. However, connectivity and signal often evade us when we are in the middle of extreme circumstances like floods and earthquakes. Mission Telecom, a US-based non-profit organization that provides affordable, reliable, and innovative broadband services, comes to the rescue with the launch of the Rapid Emergency Support & Preparedness Offer for Network Deployment (RESPOND) Kit.
National Preparedness Month
In the US, September is recognized as Disaster Preparedness Month or National Preparedness Month. During this month, various activities in relation to disaster planning are conducted to raise awareness. It is during this time that Mission Telecom announced the availability of the RESPOND Kit. The kit is a hotspot and broadband plan that offers a low-cost broadband service to help maintain communication before, during, and after disasters. In short, it aims to provide unlimited connectivity in critical moments as well as priority support for emergencies. With options of $999 or $1440 per year, the organization ensures that this kit provides 40%-50% of savings.
With T-Mobile’s network, the RESPOND kit aims to equip both responders and victims of calamities with a more reliable communication path. Rhea Yaw Ching, Executive Director of Mission Telecom, stresses this importance: “When natural disasters strike, reliable internet is a necessity for safety, survival, and recovery.” The organization also recently offered similar programs like Mission-Connect, a $7-per-month plan that offers unlimited wireless hotspots for schools and libraries, as well as affordable and reliable broadband for low-income households.
Preparedness and recovery
The first few minutes after emergencies and disasters are crucial. Prompt action can save lives and lessen the number of casualties. Recovery is just as important, and we need to communicate with agencies and service providers to restore any damaged infrastructure. This is why internet connectivity, such as the availability of the RESPOND kit, plays a vital role in all phases of crises. By providing affordable and reliable internet during natural disasters, Mission Telecom is helping bridge the digital divide to ensure safety for all, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been taken by Aldward Castillo.
Sources: Hannah Ritchie, Pablo Rosado, and Max Roser (Our World in Data) / PR Newswire / The American Red Cross
