Anniversary of last year’s hurricane heightens preparedness for 2018
The effects of last year’s hurricanes are still reverberating throughout the Caribbean and Gulf Coast region. The roll call of the devastation was sobering but was a clarion call for NetHope and its members and partners to increase our collective efforts to be prepared for the coming hurricane season, which has already begun to assert itself.
NetHope is making several proactive moves to ensure our response, and the response of our members, is well planned and well executed. From pre-positioning equipment in the Caribbean region, strengthening needs assessments, and creating clear plans and workflows, NetHope's member and partner collaborators are building a network of preparedness so that we can help those affected by the impacts of the storms.
Having personnel prepared and trained is primary to response effectiveness. To that end, NetHope convened more than 60 of our nonprofit members and tech partners for a full-scale disaster simulation exercise in Panama in July. Some of you may have been part of this exercise, or have heard of the amazing results of the work performed there. Their efforts are noted and recognized.
To honor the work of those who responded to hurricanes Irma and Maria last year, the work of those who are working hard to prepare for this and future years, and especially to those in the Caribbean who were directly impacted by the devastation of those storms, we have created a video to give an overview of how NetHope partners and members are collaborating to be prepared for a response for this year in the Caribbean and around the globe, and for the years to come.
Read more:
RESOURCES
- Microsoft/NetHope Case Study: TV White Space Use in Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria
- Next-level Maps: Case Studies of PATH and NetHope collaborations with Mapbox
DISASTER TRAINING
- Preparing for the Next Disaster in the Caribbean
- Be Prepared: Response Training Readies Responders for Disaster
- Planning a Disaster: Detail and Expertise Required for Disaster Preparation Training
- Training for the Inevitable: Disaster Preparedness Training – Day 1
- Power of Collaboration Demonstrated During Disaster Training – Day 2
- Designing Disaster: An Interview with Gisli Olafsson
HURRICANE MARIA NETHOPE BLOG POSTS
- Friendships Forged, Problems Solved on the Magic Terrace
- “I’m creating new experiences and new knowledge.”
- NetHope Holds ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves’ Seminar in Puerto Rico
- Save the Children, NetHope Make Positive Connections In Puerto Rico Recovery
- Jose Nazario: NetHope Volunteer, Googler, Proud Puerto Rican
- Feeding America: Hunger and Hope in Puerto Rico
- Giving Thanks to our NetHope Community
- Supporting Rescues, Relief, and Rebuilding in Canovanas
- “We have a fighting spirit, and we have a lot of faith.”
- Bringing Connectivity and Life Back to Castener
- From the Field: Reconnecting Puerto Rico, One Region at a Time
- “The Destruction is Almost Total.”
IN THE MEDIA
- La Opinion: NetHope works alongside high-tech companies to restore internet and light in Puerto Rico (Spanish)
- NPR: All Tech Considered: Ina Fried interviewed by Mary Louise Kelly
- Axios: Bringing internet back to Puerto Rico
- Las Cruces Sun-News: Tech giants step in to aid Puerto Rico relief
- Devex: How technology companies are restoring connectivity in Puerto Rico
- Associated Press via ABC: Big Tech has big plans to help reconnect Puerto Rico
Filed Under: Caribbean Disaster Preparedness, Emergency Response, Hurricane Relief