Humanitarian Point-to-Point Networks

Point-to-point (P2P) networks, which leverage off-the-shelf wireless technologies to connect two locations in direct line of sight, have become a critical infrastructure component in disaster-stricken areas. They enable the establishment of effective communication when conventional networks have failed or are nonexistent. These networks establish direct links between two points, up to 50km apart, facilitating high-speed data exchange and voice and video communications crucial for disaster response and recovery efforts (Steckler, 2013).

The need for resilient and rapidly deployable communication systems has driven the development of P2P networks for use in disaster areas. In the wake of disasters, the destruction and damage to infrastructure often leave affected communities isolated, hampering response efforts (Palen & Liu, 2007). P2P networks, by their design, can operate independently of traditional network infrastructures, making them invaluable in the immediate aftermath of disasters.

While P2P networking technologies had already been available for some time and had gained popularity to connect places in rural areas (Summer, 2010, p. 57), it was not until the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010 that this technology became widely used in a humanitarian crisis. As a result of the earthquake, the country’s phone and mobile systems and underwater fiber optical cables were damaged. This all occurred as thousands of NGO staff and volunteers arrived in the country (Summer, 2010, p. 58).

A day after the earthquake in Haiti, through a collaborative effort led by NetHope with the support of organizations such as the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) and through the on-the-ground attempt of a small non-profit organization named Inveneo, plans started to emerge for how to provide NetHope members, which were NGOs as prominent as Save the Children, Oxfam International, Mercy Corps, the International Rescue Committee, Catholic Relief Services, and Concern, internet connectivity through a P2P wireless network (Summer, 2010, p. 58).

A backhaul (internet connection to the outside world) was provided through a satellite dish that one of NetHope’s member organizations, CHF International, had sitting unused at their compound in Petionville, located in the hills above Port-au-Prince. This location became strategic as it enabled an excellent P2P source high above the ground and with a line-of-sight to most NGO offices that were to be connected (Summer, 2010, p. 60), as shown in Figure 5. Later, when the local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and the fiber optical connection to the island were restored, the satellite backhaul was replaced by a backhaul from a couple of the local ISPs, ensuring that the bandwidth costs flowed into the local economy (Summer, 2010, p. 65).

Figure 5 - Point to Point network in Haiti (Crowder, 2011)

One of the key benefits of these P2P networks that sometimes are referred to in the humanitarian sector as Hastily Formed Networks (HFN) (Nelson, Steckler, & Stamberger, 2011; Steckler, 2013) is that the frequencies used for connecting two locations are the same as those used for traditional WIFI networks and are therefore not subject to any regulatory or licensing restrictions (Nelson et al., 2011; Summer, 2010, p. 60). Additionally, the equipment needed to establish P2P networks is relatively cheap and small, making it easy to acquire and transport to affected areas.

When it comes to establishing these HFNs, Nelson et al. (2011) identified the following constraints to the equipment:

• It must be small and lightweight so responders can carry it into the affected areas.
• It should be commercially available and non-military grade, making it affordable and easily obtainable.
• It should be energy-independent (requiring low power) since power infrastructures are usually damaged in emergencies.
• It should be flexible since each disaster will present unique environments in which to reconnect.

This P2P networking approach enabled the sharing of expensive backhaul connections between response organizations. Quickly, this model became a common practice that organizations such as NetHope have leveraged in various humanitarian crises since then, including the Horn of Africa Refugee Crisis in 2011 (Skuse & Brimacombe, 2014, p. 30), West Africa Ebola Outbreak in 2014-2015 (Olafsson, Waddell, & Dziggel, 2014), European Refugee Crisis in 2015-2016 (Kosciejew, 2019; Maitland & Bharania, 2017; Wendle, 2016), and in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2019 (Maitland & Peha, 2018).

P2P networks have been employed in various capacities within disaster zones. One notable application is establishing emergency communication systems that enable first responders and humanitarian organizations to coordinate relief efforts effectively (Meier, 2015). These networks can support various services, from basic text messaging to complex data transmission, aiding in logistics, medical assistance, and search and rescue operations.

NetHope’s approach to leveraging P2P networks in disaster scenarios is centered around deploying emergency communication systems useful to the humanitarian organizations on the ground and the affected communities (Maitland & Bharania, 2017; Maitland & Peha, 2018). These systems enable first responders and humanitarian organizations to coordinate relief efforts efficiently, even in the most challenging environments. By setting up direct links between strategic locations within disaster zones, these networks facilitate the exchange of critical data, voice, and video communications essential for logistics, medical assistance, and search and rescue operations (Van de Walle & Turoff, 2007).

Moreover, P2P networks facilitate information sharing between affected communities and humanitarian actors. Through these networks, individuals in disaster areas can report their needs and situations, contributing to a more accurate and timely assessment of conditions on the ground (Morrow, Mock, Bauer, & Browning, 2016). This bottom-up flow of information is crucial for tailoring response efforts to the actual needs of disaster-affected populations. This two-way communication channel helps ensure that the needs of disaster-affected populations are accurately understood and addressed, leading to more targeted and effective relief efforts (Meier, 2015).

One of the critical strengths of NetHope’s use of P2P networks is their adaptability and scalability. In the aftermath of disasters, when traditional communication infrastructures are often compromised (Olafsson, 2011), P2P networks can quickly be established to fill the communication void. Further, innovation plays a crucial role in NetHope’s deployment of P2P networks. The organization actively explores and integrates new technologies to enhance the resilience and functionality of these networks.

NetHope’s extensive use of P2P networks in various disasters has significantly contributed to the effectiveness of humanitarian response efforts. By providing a resilient and scalable communication infrastructure, NetHope’s effort enhances the coordination among relief organizations and between organizations and affected communities, underscoring the critical role of innovative communication technologies in disaster management (Maitland & Bharania, 2017; Maitland & Peha, 2018).

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