Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC)

Emergency Telecommunications Cluster

The Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) is a global network of organizations that work together to provide shared IT and telecommunications services in humanitarian emergencies.

Within 48 hours of a disaster, the ETC provides security communications services and voice and internet connectivity to assist humanitarian workers in their operations. Within four weeks, ETC services are expanded for continued emergency relief.^[1]

The ETC is one of the 11 clusters identified by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee as part of the Cluster Approach to humanitarian response.

Mandate

The ETC is mandated to:

• Provide timely, predictable and effective data and security communications services
• Provide standard interoperable information and communications technology (ICT) platforms and procedures to avoid duplication and ensure cost effective solutions
• Ensure a smooth transition to post-emergency activities
• Build in-country capacity

Timely, predictable, and effective information and communications technology (ICT) services:

• Enhance response and coordination among humanitarian organizations
• Improve operational security environment for staff and assets
• Facilitate decision-making through timely access to critical information.

Leadership

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is nominated global lead of the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC), responsible for building strong relationships with the partner network and for ensuring predictable and effective inter-agency response.^[2]

At the global level, the ETC aims to strengthen system-wide preparedness and technical capacity to respond to humanitarian emergencies by ensuring predictable leadership and accountability. WFP is therefore responsible for overall coordination of the ICT response to an emergency where the cluster is activated. In close collaboration with the ETC network of partners, WFP is coordinating ETC 2020 efforts.

At the country level, the aim of the ETC is to ensure a more coherent and effective response by mobilizing humanitarian, private sector and government organisations to respond in a strategic manner. Country Level Cluster lead is the ETC member with the best capacity and resources to respond which may not necessarily be the Global Lead. The ETC country lead has responsibility for coordinating the deployment and implementation of security communications and internet connectivity services and also must fulfill the role of ‘Provider of Last Resort'.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. As such, in emergencies involving refugee population, UNHCR is local lead of these common operational areas, for example Zataari refugee camp in Jordan.

Membership

Humanitarian, private sector and government organisations that have an interest in humanitarian assistance, and can commit to making a positive contribution to technology in emergency response, can become members of the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC).

Membership is automatically open to all Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) associated organisations. Non-IASC associated organisations can apply to become a member upon invitation of the existing membership.^[3]

Partners

Private sector, government, United Nations, Non-Governmental (NGO) and other humanitarian organisations partner with the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) to fulfil its current mandate and strive towards ETC2020. In emergency situations, members exchange information and expertise and provide personnel, equipment and solutions.^[4]

ETC Services

Staff from all humanitarian organizations can use ETC services, regardless of membership. In the West Africa Ebola response operation, ETC internet connectivity services are available to all organizations involved in efforts to fight the virus, including medical workers and national response teams.

ETC activities are field-driven, with plans and projects reviewed and endorsed by local working groups. Communications services provided by the ETC in the different phases of an emergency operation include: security telecommunications, voice and data connectivity, customer support, coordination and information management.^[5]

Services are deployed in defined ‘common operational areas', i.e. areas approved by the Humanitarian Country Team in which the majority of UN agencies and NGOs are based.

ETC2020

The newly adopted ETC strategy – ETC2020 –builds upon the cluster’s years of experience in IT emergency response, to enable digital aid. ETC2020 was formally adopted by the ETC membership in April 2015 at the Plenary Meeting in Dubai.^[6]

ETC2020 will see a shift in the way the ETC works; from traditionally providing emergency communications services to the humanitarian community, to serving a wider range of responders, including governments and affected populations. Through ETC2020 the cluster engages in Communications with Communities (CwC), leveraging its network and expertise to provide disaster affected people with the ability to communicate, supporting their leadership in a more accountable humanitarian response environment.

Driven by WFP, through ETC2020 the cluster works with governments in high-risk countries to build communications resilience, enabling them to play a larger role in their own emergency response and recovery. In recognition of communities’ role in first response, ETC2020 improves and decentralises preparedness activities. Throughout this 2020 transformation, connectivity and energy solutions will be enhanced and the ETC will continue to deliver its current mandate of providing timely, predictable, and effective emergency communications services to the humanitarian community.

References