Giving Day delivers game changing technology for Tuvalu

It was an exhilarating 24 hours! Our inaugural Giving Day in June reached the $250,000 goal that will enable us to deliver a portable IT solution to one of our Pacific island neighbours.

Thanks to the generosity of Giving Day donors, Tuvalu Red Cross Society will soon have an IT-in-a-Box solution that will strengthen its ability to stay connected before, during and after disasters.

Designed as a 'plug in and go' solution, IT-in-a-Box provides reliable internet, secure data storage and communications for day-to-day operations.

The solution will help communities and Red Cross volunteers receive early warnings and critical information, while enabling Red Cross teams to continue communicating and coordinating their response, even if power or communications infrastructure is disrupted.

During an emergency, the unit can be connected to a generator and quickly relocated, allowing Tuvalu Red Cross Society to stay connected with communities, work alongside emergency partners and continue delivering vital humanitarian support. 

“I could talk for days on what it means for the Tuvalu Red Cross National Society to have an IT-in-a-Box solution,” says Pacific programmes Lead International Operations Peter Scott. 

"Reliable communications are one of the most important tools we have in a disaster.

"They help us share early warnings before disasters happen, stay connected with communities as events unfold, and coordinate our response so support reaches people as quickly as possible. This investment will help ensure Tuvalu Red Cross can continue operating when communities need it most," says Peter.

And when it comes to day-to-day work, the frustrations of unreliable internet can be huge.

“The most common phrase you hear when you are working in the office in Tuvalu four or five times a day is ‘I’m just re-setting the router’.” 

“You would be in the middle of doing something and the internet would drop out. While you are processing information and writing reports you have to constantly remember to save the information, otherwise when the system goes down and you haven’t, you lose everything. 

The ability to just keep on working for this team is going to be huge.” 

“Once we log into the IT-in-a-box system the data and information we are sharing will be a lot more secure,” says Peter. 

Tuvalu Red Cross Society thrilled at IT solution

Mrs. Tagifoe Tauetia Taomia, Secretary General of Tuvalu Red Cross Society was thrilled to learn of the successful fundraising. Hearing the news from Peter Scott during his visit to the country recently, she said, “I believe having the IT-in-a-Box will be a step up in how we respond and how we work in the future.” 

“Tuvalu consists of eight islands so it’s a challenge to reach there physically. Having a more consistent way to make information available will make it easier to do the work needed.” 

IT-in-a-Box delivers real results

Sione Taumoefolau Secretary General of Tonga Red Cross Society (TRCS) knows just how pivotal this technology is.Tonga was the first country to receive an IT-in-a-Box solution nearly a decade ago. 

Following the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2022, reliable communications played a critical role in supporting the humanitarian response.

“We have had a lot of challenges in communication over the past few years. Having this system brought a lot of change, mostly it gave us secure internet," says Mr Taumoefolau. "We don’t have to worry about communication because the IT-in-a-box has taken care of everything. Things are better than ever before.” 

Mr Taumoefolau says a big difference has also been the cost savings that the IT-in-a-Box solution has delivered. 

But where the IT-in-a-Box really shines is when disaster strikes. 

The IT-in-a-Box is on wheels so it’s portable, albeit heavy, and it can be quickly attached to a generator. That means the unit can be put on the back of a truck and moved to a safe location, attached to a power source and the team can be back up and running quickly. 

When earthquakes damaged Vanuatu Red Cross Society's offices in December 2024, staff wheeled their IT-in-a-Box into the car park, connected it to a generator and continued operating from a temporary tent while supporting affected communities.

This ensured Vanuatu Red Cross’ critical IT systems and communications remained operational when they were needed most. Similar solutions are also strengthening emergency communications in the Cook Islands and elsewhere across the Pacific.

Now Tuvalu will have the same life-saving opportunity as every Giving Day donation will help Tuvalu Red Cross Society stay connected before, during and after disasters. 

Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible.

An IT-in-a-Box solution being delivered to the Cook Islands