Typhoon Haiyan caused immense damage in the Philippines, but one company is trying to help victims of the disaster power up via solar. Victron Energy B.V. donated 60 solar mobile phone chargers, each with the capacity to power 20 mobile phones at the simultaneously.
Dutch relief organization, HeetenseHulpgoederen Centrum Philippines (HCCP), shipped the Victron equipment to Tacloban. Arrival is expected by the end of December with HCCP representatives being available to receive the goods to help with distribution and installation.
The chargers come with solar panels and 60 batteries with 20 AC power sockets powered from the battery by an inverter. “Mobile phones are providing a lifeline for aid workers and survivors. Communication is one of the first things you need in a disaster area. Not only to stay in touch with your family and inform them about your situation, but even more to organize the relief. In an area where roads are flooded, houses destructed and electricity is almost completely down, mobile phones become useless if they cannot be charged. And that is where Victron steps in”, says Matthijs Vader, managing director of Victron Energy. “Solar Power does not need any infrastructure so our chargers can be installed easily at any place on the island.”
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