Avanti Communications has announced the Satellite Enablement for Disaster Risk Reduction in Kenya (“SaTDRR Kenya”), aimed at enhancing Kenya’s ability to plan for and respond to disasters.
The project, funded under the UK Space Agency’s International Partnership Programme (IPP), will provide secure fixed and mobile satellite communications via Avanti’s Ka-band satellite, HYLAS 2, for emergency situations such as conflict, famine, floods and disease outbreaks.
SatDRR Kenya will enable emergency responders and humanitarian organisations to act quickly and effectively on the ground through satellite communication. The project will also provide earth observation data to improve Kenya’s pre- and post-disaster strategy and planning, allowing end-users to access information on large-scale disasters such as floods and droughts.
Access to satellite services will be underpinned by a capacity building and knowledge transfer programme to embed capability which will deliver sustainable benefits to the Kenyan Government and communities.
Graham Peters, Managing Director of Avanti Government said “Combined with knowledge from our project partners and satellite capacity from our HYLAS 2 satellite, the project will provide Kenya’s disaster response teams with crucial communication tools and training to plan and respond to disasters.”
Sam Gyimah, Science Minister, said “These partnerships are first and foremost about helping developing countries stand on their own two feet by building the capability to deal with specific challenges.”
