UltiSat, a global provider of critical communications solutions, has announced that it has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide satellite communications services to support the humanitarian relief mission in the Tongogora refugee camp in Zimbabwe.
In March 2019, tropical cyclone Idai hit the southern hemisphere, including Zimbabwe. Heavy rains and strong winds caused flash flooding, and over 6,000 camp occupants were severely impacted and continue to be impacted today. The Tongogara refugee camp is located in a remote part of Zimbabwe with a very limited communications infrastructure. As a result, the satellite communications system – VSAT – is the only reliable form of communication. To support UNHCR and its partners in delivering humanitarian assistance, reliable and scalable communications solutions are necessary.
“Access to communications is crucial for us to effectively coordinate with partners and deliver for the people we serve,” said Amadou Sabi, Head of the UNHCR’s Field Office in Tongogara. “Partnership with UltiSat gives us access to the adaptable satellite services where they are most needed.”
UltiSat has a long history of providing tailored satellite and wireless communications solutions that are critical to the remote operations of humanitarian aid missions. In June 2021, UltiSat announced its partnership with UNHCR in Central Africa. In December of 2021, UltiSat was named the recipient of the Space & Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) seventh annual Better Satellite World Award. The award was bestowed for the company’s collaboration with UNHCR to provide satellite communication services supporting emergency humanitarian relief operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“The UNHCR and UltiSat teams work in close collaboration, especially during emergencies,” said Brum Cerzosimo, Senior Director of Humanitarian Programmes at UltiSat. “As the situation evolved in Zimbabwe, we knew it was time to mobilise. Close integration and daily communications between our teams made it easy to deploy the required communications supporting the UNHCR’s work in the region. We are proud that our telecommunication services can play an important role in support of the humanitarian relief efforts carried out by UNHCR.”
Faleti Joshua is an avid lover of space in all its incomprehensible nature. He holds both an LL.B and a B.L degree. Joshua is a lover of music and a lawyer in his free time.
