Following the devastating path of Typhoon Durian on December 1st, Télécoms Sans Frontières immediately mobilized to strengthen rescue teams and offer communications to survivors. Durian, the 20th storm to hit the Philippines during 2006 affected 62 of the 79 provinces of the archipelago and killed more than 1 400 people and affected 1.5 million, according to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). Durian's winds and torrential rains seriously damaged telecommunications infrastructure, particularly on the island of Catanduanes, situated in eastern Philippines. In Albay, the region was affected by a huge mudflow following Durian, none the less the GSM network was rapidly re-established. However, in Catanduanes, fixed and mobile phone networks were destroyed and 146 405 people (70% of the total population) have been affected. Durian became the most devastating typhoon in Catanduanes in 10 years.

Upon request from the NDCC, an emergency crew from TSF's Asian base situated in Bangkok deployed a telecom centre at the coordinating centre of Virac, the capital of the province of Catanduanes. 13 local and international organizations (notably World Vision, Operation Blessing and the Red Cross) benefited from TSF's broadband Internet connections, phone and fax lines. TSF's Telecom Centres facilitated the flow of information from the field, enabled the transmission of the initial assessments to better respond to the needs of affected populations. It also enabled local authorities to follow in real time the path of Typhoon Utor which hit the Philippines on December 9 and 10.

In parallel, TSF ran humanitarian calling operations for survivors. 833 families (more than 3 500 people) have been put in contact with loved ones, either in the Philippines or abroad. 95% of beneficiaries had their house destroyed by the typhoon. 238 families (30%) called abroad (US, Emirates, Taiwan, UK, Kuwait, Australia, Angola, Canada, Hong Kong, Germany, Denmark...) to give news on the situation and ask for help and notably for money. In total, TSF offered more than 40 hours of satellite based communications.

On December 17th, GSM networks were re-established in Catanduanes and a radio system enabling communication with Manila for relief organizations was set up putting an end to the emergency phase of TSF's mission.

The TSF team of 9 was notably composed of a volunteer from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). On December 1st, TSF and AIT signed a partnership to collaborate in emergencies in Asia. TSF's base is now located on AIT's campus in Bangkok.

Since the beginning of the year, this is the second time TSF deploys to the Philippines. In February, TSF intervened on Leyte island following the heavy mudslide which killed 1 000. It is also the eight mission of TSF in 2006 after Bolivia, The Philippines, Niger, Suriname, Indonesia-Java, Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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