The United Nations has requested that Ericsson (News - Alert) deploy its Ericsson Response organization to aid relief work in disaster-stricken Haiti.

 

Ericsson has had 20 volunteers on standby, and in response to the UN’s request sent four, all telecom experts, to set up a container-based mini GSM-system to allow for mobile communication in the area.

 

Ericsson Response was formed in 2000 to provide telecommunication expertise during times of disaster.

Rima Qureshi, head of Ericsson Response, said the company has learned, from past experience, “how important it is for aid workers to coordinate the rescue operation using mobile communications. Aid workers can get their work done faster if we can provide them with the tools to get quickly in touch with the outside world, each other and those most affected by the emergency.”

A couple of weeks ago Reuters (News - Alert) reported that Qureshi, “currently heading a strategic program for a major North American operator and Ericsson Response,” had replaced Magnus Mandersson as head of CDMA Mobile Systems: “Her responsibilities will include running Nortel’s CDMA and LTE (News - Alert) business in North America, acquired by Ericsson in November 2009.

According to Reuters Ericsson, “the world’s top mobile telecoms equipment firm, appointed insider Magnus Mandersson as head of its Global Services operations to oversee a drive to tap a high-growth sector.” His main task will be to head up the fast-growing Professional Services unit and take responsibility for network rollout activities.

Ericsson has experience with such efforts: In 2009, Ericsson Response supported relief work in Congo, Sudan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

As GoMo News blog poster “Cian” writes, “Last week we saw just how effective mobile can be when it comes to sending relief to people in need -- charity efforts driven by SMS have drawn in tens of millions of dollars from people who would otherwise not have donated. But today we see a different kind of disaster relief, as global infrastructure provider Ericsson deploys its Response team to Haiti.”