Engineers from Cisco Systems utilized satellite technology during the India earthquake aftermath.

"One line was dedicated to free phone calls for earthquake victims, while the others were for the CARE relief camp."

In a country as vast and complex as India, relief and development projects can face serious obstacles -- especially when it comes to communications.

But when the 7.9 earthquake hit Gujarat, India last January 26th, CARE used two voice channels and a data communication link over satellite in Bhuj, Gujarat. One line was dedicated to free phone calls for earthquake victims to call anywhere in the world, while the others were for the CARE relief camp.

The technology, called VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal), was the result of a large donation from Cisco Systems. VSAT allowed CARE offices to access each other, as well as other partner organizations via the voice and electronic data transmissions. In addition, it enabled access to the Internet and the CARE infrastructure outside of India and around the world.

The man operating the booth that housed the public line explained, "People here are so happy to be able to make contact with their families, who are anxious to know about how they are managing after the earthquake."

The phone line at the relief camp was also utilized "nearly 20 hours a day. It was the lifeline of the people at the camp, and for many villages around," said Father George at the Kutch Vikas Trust, where CARE and other NGOs were stationed.

Not only did the public take advantage of the phone, but Army personnel and others in the area coordinating the relief effort were able to use the line.

In December 2000, Cisco Systems had set up a test of the VSAT technology between the CARE India Headquarters in Delhi and one of the branch offices in Uttar Pradesh. The other seven offices were to follow soon afterward. Since the January earthquake, the project has gone faster than planned and all offices came online by May 2001.

For more information, contact Bridget Jorgensen at jorgensen@care.org or 650-224-4900.