Uttarakhand Wireless Aid Community Network: 2023- 24
The Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) is implementing the Uttarakhand Wireless Aid Community Network to provide resilient internet infrastructure in ten disaster prone villages of Uttarakhand, India. These regions face frequent floods and landslides, exacerbating the need for timely information exchange during emergencies. This initiative combines advanced satellite-based internet technology and community networks to ensure connectivity even in remote and inaccessible areas.
Objectives:
- Resilient Internet Infrastructure: Deploy advanced satellite and PM-WANI technologies for robust and disaster-proof connectivity.
- Capacity Building: Train local internet entrepreneurs, with a focus on youth and women, in maintenance and operation of the infrastructure.
- Disaster Preparedness: Facilitate immediate dissemination of critical information during natural disasters.
- Community Empowerment: Establish digital information centers in each village to deliver essential digital services.
- Digital Literacy: Train 5,000 local residents on using the internet for disaster resilience and accessing essential services
Key Activities:
- Establish communication terminals with elevated, weather-resistant setups.
- Create a mesh network linking all ten villages.
- Develop community-run internet radio stations for real-time updates.
- Train and empower 50% women as internet entrepreneurs.
- Conduct digital literacy and disaster-resilience workshops.
Status: 2023- Ongoing