Water, nutrition, medical care – after large-scale disasters, people depend on the humanitarian help of the international community. However, efficient help can only be provided when the operational teams coordinate their measures. In the context of the exercise OpEx Bravo, this week international IT and telecommunication specialists (ITC) will exercise the development and repair of communication networks for volunteers at THW’s National School in Neuhausen.

In crisis areas, efficient humanitarian aid can only be provided when the international intervention teams are well connected via appropriate communication technology. At THW‘s National Training School in Neuhausen, IT and telecommunication specialists of the United Nations’ (UN) World Food Programme (WFP), Unicef and other organisations will exercise the setting up and maintenance of communication networks for rescue personnel this week. To achieve this, they will be supported by the Vodafone Foundation and the Government of Luxembourg.

Premiere for THW’s Rapid Deployment Unit Water and Sanitation Abroad (SEEWA): at the beginning of June, the SEEWA-module “Middle” exercised an emergency case, together with an international unit. It was the first time that SEEWA took part in an exercise abroad. The exercise partner in Ranst, Belgium, was a team of the civil protection unit B-FAST (Belgian First Aid und Support Team).

In Bockange, France, about 300 operational staff from Germany, France and Luxemburg exercised on Thursday how to cooperate during an earthquake operation. The exercise was part of an international USAR (Urban Search and Rescue)-exercise. The large-scale exercise completed a three-day training course for managers. On behalf of Germany, THW-experts from the local sections of Saarbrücken and Heusweiler took part in the exercise.