From the field with Mr. Nyema Bydell
I am deployed to the World Food Programme (WFP) Burkina Faso Operations as an ICT Specialist Since January 2023, providing technical support to the ICT Common Services, the Service for Community (S4C) and the WFP Business Continuity Plans (BCP) connectivity projects.
From left: 1) Djibo, Burkina Faso, December 2023. 2) The Digital Learning Center-Dori, Burkina Faso-March 2024.
In my role as an ICT Specialist, I am tasked with providing essential technical support across multiple fronts. Primarily, my responsibilities encompass bolstering the ICT Common Services that are geared toward providing essential connectivity to the humanitarian community, ensuring seamless connectivity, and optimizing digital infrastructure to facilitate efficient communication and collaboration among various stakeholders within the humanitarian response in Burkina Faso.
One of my key focal points is the Service for Community (S4C) project, a pivotal initiative aimed at leveraging technology to empower local communities and enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions, this led to the opening of the first WFP Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) Digital Learning Center in the Sahel Capital of Dori in March 2024. Through the S4C project, WFP strive to harness the potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to address the specific needs and challenges faced by vulnerable populations in Burkina Faso. This involves implementing innovative solutions to improve access to essential services, streamline aid distribution processes, and foster community resilience in the face of adversity.
Uninterrupted connectivity is paramount
Additionally, I am deeply involved in supporting the WFP Business Continuity Plans (BCP) connectivity projects. In today's interconnected world, maintaining uninterrupted connectivity is paramount, especially in the realm of humanitarian operations where swift and coordinated responses can make a significant difference in saving lives. By fortifying the connectivity infrastructure and implementing robust BCP protocols, WFP endeavour to safeguard critical communication channels and ensure continuity of operations even amidst unforeseen disruptions or emergencies.
To make all this a success, it involves thorough travelling by helicopters and vehicles to some of the most difficult-to-reach areas across the Sahel region, including the towns of Sebba and Djibo which are benefiting from the use of these robust ICT connectivity solutions thereby closing the gaps for the delivery of lifesaving humanitarian aids.