Case Study: Disaster Tech Lab improves refugee communications and team coordination with Globalstar satellite devices

Disaster Tech Lab keeps 200 volunteers connected with Globalstar in Lesbos

Disaster Tech Lab, a non-governmental organization providing support to refugees in Greece, faced a significant challenge due to unreliable terrestrial communications on the island of Lesbos. Patchy cellular coverage and a lack of landlines made it difficult for the organization to coordinate emergency response teams and for refugees to contact their families. To address this, they partnered with vendor Globalstar to deploy satellite communications devices.

Globalstar provided satellite phones and SPOT trackers, which created an independent and reliable communications network. The solution allowed Disaster Tech Lab's teams to coordinate efficiently across deployment locations and even during reconnaissance trips to Turkey. The devices were also loaned to other NGOs, enabling them to call for medical aid and direct resources on short notice. Most significantly, refugees were given the opportunity to use the Globalstar satellite phones to call family back home, providing a major humanitarian impact with many forgoing medical treatment for the chance to make a call.

Disaster Tech Lab