Last week the Vodafone Foundation offered immediate assistance to the victims of the Nepal earthquake by flying in the ‘Instant Network Mini’, a portable ‘mobile network in a backpack’, to the Kathmandu Valley in order to help restore communications in some of the worse affected areas.

The Instant Network Mini is a mobile network in a backpack which weighs only 11Kg and which can be set up in just 10 minutes. The Instant Network team, all Vodafone employees acting on a voluntary basis, are offering support to local operators to help re-establish mobile communications, helping aid workers communicate during the relief effort and enabling people to contact their loved ones following the devastating earthquake.

The Instant Network Mini is one of the key projects developed by the Vodafone Group as part of its global Mobile for Good programme, which uses innovative mobile technology to solve social problems across different communities.

This is the second time in two months that the Vodafone Foundation has responded with emergency telecommunications support in the aftermath of a natural disaster. In March, a team of volunteers deployed to Tanna Island, Vanuatu, where they supported humanitarian calling operations to those affected by Cyclone Pam.

Andrew Dunnett, Vodafone Foundation Director, said: “Establishing communications in the aftermath of a natural disaster is crucial, both for the coordination of aid and to enable those affected to reconnect with family and friends.  Through our Instant Network programme, we are able to deploy our people and our technology to provide communications support at a critical time.”