Date: June 2023
Amount: $42,411

The Haiti International Friendship Amateur Radio Club (HIFARC) is a group whose mission is to provide direct assistance to amateur radio operators in Haiti and to support their active engagement in amateur radio. They provide financial and technical assistance to organizations and projects, as well as provide emergency communications to the island, with the financial support of grants. Within the last 15 years, Haiti has been hit by multiple earthquakes and a CAT 5 hurricane; these natural disasters have resulted in loss of life and cellular towers being destroyed. Additionally, people have been driven from their homes out of fear for their safety. All of the above leaves a need for the island to have a system where its citizens can effectively and reliably communicate and receive real-time news.

This grant will provide funding for HIFARC to collaborate with Radio Club d’Haiti to build and deploy an integrated emergency communication network. To ensure that every part of Haiti is covered, it will be set up for both VHF and HF use. This will not only provide a means for communication in times of natural disasters and when up-to-date news is needed, it will also serve as a way to inspire more Haitians to get involved with amateur radio.

Learn more at https://hifarc.com/.

Update

Many disasters have struck Haiti over the last fifteen years. More than 200,000 perished in the 2010 earthquake and 20,000 in a 2021 quake. Hurricane Matthew struck in 2016, destroyed cell towers, and parts of southern Haiti were cut off from power and communications for weeks. HIFARC applied to ARDC for a grant in order to set up an integrated emergency communications network that utilizes HF and VHF so that vital, potentially life-saving communications can continue when these tragic situations arise. HIFARC’s goal was to work with the Radio Club d’Haiti to install VHF stations at strategic locations around the nation. Existing Haitian licensed operators were excited and willing to participate. Aside from the obvious goal of assisting during disaster situations, HIFARC and local Haitian operators were looking to inspire more amateur activity in Haiti and inspire new potential hams.

The project moved forward and was a success. HIFARC was able to purchase and install 16 VHF transceivers, along with necessary power supplies and towers and antennas for deployment throughout the country. There were some disruptions in travel due to local conditions, which made some of the installations more difficult, but they moved forward. Emergency communications throughout the island nation were improved, and equipment was actually used for purposes other than the initial intent. Health and welfare messages were exchanged and forwarded, as well as information related to gang activity, security and transportation. The team used solar energy in some cases to power stations, as electricity and fuel availability can be unstable in Haiti, and they are looking to use more solar in future efforts.