Storm Kristin has caused extensive damage in central Portugal. At least 6 people lost their lives, more than 440,000 people were left without power and infrastructure was heavily impacted – including schools, factories, railway lines, roads and emergency services. More heavy rain and flooding is expected.
In the wake of this devastation, Vodafone Foundation’s Instant Network Emergency Response (INER) local and international teams mobilised to restore vital communications for emergency responders and isolated communities.
Last year, a national INER hub was installed in Portugal, run by highly trained Vodafone volunteers. As a result, the local INER team were able to rapidly deploy equipment to provide free connectivity to support rescue and recovery efforts, and reconnect local communities.
The team worked closely with emergency services, and reconnected two fire stations. However, as the scale of the challenge became apparent, an international INER team mobilised to bring more volunteers and kit to Portugal.
Since arriving, the team have been working closely with Portuguese colleagues to restore connectivity at additional fire stations. The stations’ computers only function using fixed connectivity. To overcome this, the INER volunteers integrated the computers into Meraki units, ensuring operational systems could come back online. This allowed fire crews to resume dispatching and responding to emergencies safely and effectively.
It’s not just emergency services that have been supported. Isna – a small, remote community – had been left without any connectivity after the storm. While there are only a few hundred people living there, the isolation posed a significant risk as they were cut off from contacting families or emergency services.
To help reconnect the village, INER volunteers installed connectivity at the local sports club, a central gathering point where residents meet several times a day. Restoring communications here ensured that everyone in the community could check on loved ones, access information, and call for help when needed.
Justin Waller, Director of Instant Network Emergency Response said: “This deployment demonstrates how important it is to have local teams leading local responses to emergencies, with global teams stepping in when extra capacity or specialised expertise is needed. We are establishing a network of local hubs across Europe and Africa, so this is still a new approach for us. I am proud of how well both teams worked together, and the impact they are having for communities in Portugal.”
Lisa Felton, Managing Director at Vodafone Foundation said: “From restoring fixed connectivity in fire stations to reconnecting isolated rural residents, INER teams continue to demonstrate how communications technology can protect lives, support emergency services, and bring communities back together in moments of crisis. I’d like to thank every local and international volunteer supporting the response in Portugal. Your commitment ensures that when people are cut off, they are never truly alone.”
