The ITU has deployed emergency telecom equipment in Vanuatu, to support relief efforts in the aftermath of Cyclone Pam.
The body has dispatched 40 satellite phones, 10 broadband global area network terminals and 35 solar panels to the Pacific nation.
All 83 of Vanuatu's islands were hard-hit by the category 5 tropical storm. Winds as high as 250Km/h caused substantial damage to critical infrastructure.
“Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam, which hit Vanuatu with devastating force, paralyzed telecommunications and affected rescue and rehabilitation efforts,” said Brahima Sanou, director of the ITU's Telecommunications Development Bureau.
“ITU is committed to assisting Member States restore telecommunication links in the aftermath of natural disasters to facilitate humanitarian response to support the affected populations.”
He said that the ITU considers emergency telecommunications to be a key part of this year's development agenda, including the importance of linking ICT to disaster risk reduction.