Revolution in Emergency Humanitarian Response: The Airship
Written by Luise Shikongo and Aldebaran Phiri
Drones are sprinters; they do high workloads at break-neck speed but must land just as quickly. Airships are marathon runners, they endure the run from sunrise to sunset, moving over the track of affected areas.
“Through technology, we envision a future where connectivity disruption during emergencies is short-term, self-correcting. Connectivity loss will be a thing of the past” says Luis Alvarado, IT Officer at WFP’s Regional Bureau for Southern Africa.
With an internet reach of 66%, the airship is adaptable, especially during emergencies.
“Leveraging airships will significantly increase our reach, touching households in affected areas. With costs ten times higher than ground-based hotspots, and reach a hundred times higher, this is a cost-efficient solution,” states Alvarado
Historically the most climate-affected region, South Africa is now leading the race to utilize airships. These airships are crucial for governments in Mozambique, Madagascar, and the Comoros, which are significantly impacted by climate crises, enabling communication during critical hours.
WFP utilizes drones for data collection and imagery, but these airships can reach areas that humanitarians can’t access yet.
The airship is more than just a connectivity platform, it generates maps and elevation models, enabling effective early warning systems, improved preparedness activities, and accurate responses. This will lead to independent, informed, and empowered communities.
WFP will also provide communities with mobile connectivity to allowing responders to maintain contact with warehouses, clinics, and key locations, thereby improving safety and communication. This enables communities to move away from the emergency operations center while maintaining contact. This technology was tested in Stellenbosch, South Africa where an airship carrying a Wi-Fi connection was flown. WFP, in partnership with UNICEF, Cloudline, and INGD conducted the assessment.
Reaching perfection is not without its challenges. Logistical issues and inclement weather pose potential hindrances for the airship to remain operational.
“Good relations with the Disaster Management Authorities and the Civil Aviation Authorities are a necessity, in the countries we will deploy them,” says Luis.
WFP began exploring airship connectivity after the success of its initial project. This project utilized a tethered airship drone carrying Wi-Fi, capable of floating at a height of, 90 meters for over 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide internet access to hard-to-reach places.
WFP’s drone European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, initiated a two-year project aimed at developing capacity within selected Disaster Management Agencies and prototyping technologies that could significantly impact future emergencies, including the airship.
“During one of the WFP-led UAS Connectivity Technical Working Groups, we learned that UNICEF was looking for a similar solution, leading to a collaborative effort for this project” explains Alvarado “The final key member of this collaboration is the ETC partner Ericsson Response. The ETC are experts in setting up connectivity, primarily for responders. Their extensive experience in wireless communication and emergency response makes them the ideal partner for the airship project”.
The airship is more than just a marathon runner it is a solution that extends beyond floating over floodwaters and navigating damaged roads. It underscores connectivity as a basic human right.
