[SatNews] The April 25th 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Nepal and subsequent aftershocks have disrupted last mile communications to communities with millions of people needing medical and other relief support.

Intelsat (NYSE: I) has donated its satellite services to two organizations making a difference in the region: the American Red Cross working in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and Team Rubicon. These organizations are deploying satellite-based broadband networks to support critical medical and logistical operations in the region.

A member of the Japanese Red Cross uses a VSAT-enabled phone in support of a field hospital in a remote portion of Nepal.

Photo courtesy of Intelsat.

The Red Cross network is using capacity on Intelsat 906 located at 64 degrees East, linking via the IntelsatOne® terrestrial network at Intelsat’s Fuchsstadt, Germany Teleport to support internet and Voice over Internet Phone (VoIP) service to remote hospitals in Nepal, providing field aid workers with connectivity that improves safety, morale and peace of mind in the wake of the disaster. Separately, Intelsat is also supporting a network established by Team Rubicon, a disaster response organization that unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to deploy emergency response teams, to further aid in their relief efforts. Team Rubicon brought medical supplies and sent several teams to aid the Nepalese people.

“With the connectivity provided by Intelsat, the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network is better able to deliver relief to tens of thousands of people dealing with the effects of the earthquake that killed thousands and injured many more in Nepal,” said David Meltzer, General Counsel and Chief International Officer at the American Red Cross. “Communications are key to the global relief effort underway and being able to provide voice and data connectivity between Nepal and the rest of the world is a critical tool in our disaster relief work.”

American Red Cross IT-Telecommunications Emergency Response Unit (ERU) member in Dhunche, Nepal.

Photo is courtesy of Intelsat.

“When a natural disaster occurs, broadband connectivity is an essential component to ensuring that relief organizations are able to identify and prioritize the needed services and resources as they deliver aid to those impacted by the tragic event,” said Kurt Riegelman, Intelsat Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “Given the nature of satellite technology and our global fleet, we are able to deliver the rapid response and deployment of critical communications necessary to support organizations as they provide needed assistance to those impacted. Our thoughts are with the people of Nepal and the men and women from all over the world who are coming to their aid.”