RedR technical WASH training in Kenya, credit Mo Ali, RedR
Technical Support Service
RedR provides a free online Technical Support Service (TSS) to aid organisations and relief workers in the field. The service can be used by anyone with access to the internet and aims to answer enquiries within 24 - 48 hours.
TSS consists of a panel of more than 150 technical experts, many with extensive field experience, including engineers in the fields of water, sanitation and hygiene, public health, construction and shelter. It also covers areas such as logistics, security, alternative energy, finance, IT and communications.
The service receives requests to help solve real issues as they arise. Past enquiries have ranged from a runway design for a C130 Hercules transport aircraft, to water purification plants for use by nomads in Afghanistan.
Making a difference in the field
The challenges faced by relief workers are immense and they are regularly called on to provide solutions beyond their own experience or knowledge. TSS helps address the need for expert information and technical support in the field.
In 2008, 65% of all answered enquiries received responses in 48 hours or less. The majority of enquiries related to water, sanitation and hygiene issues, with shelter, construction and infrastructure, as well as 'management' and 'technology' , proving to be areas of high demand.
Since its launch in 1998, the service has grown significantly; receiving and responding to an increasing number of enquiries.
How does it work?
Those seeking to use the service can do so either by filling out the online enquiry form or email the enquiry directly to RedR. The request will immediately be passed on to the relevant team of technical experts and the 'problem' will be researched and discussed before appropriate advice is offered via email.
All enquiries and responses are open access and available to anyone on the internet.
Submit a TSS enquiry
Interested in becoming a part of the TSS panel?
RedR is always looking to extend its range of expertise to respond to an even greater number of enquiries. If you are interested in becoming a part of RedR’s TSS panel of experts - and you feel your technical skills and humanitarian experience would contribute to the service - or you would like more information about, please contact: Toby Gould on technical.support@redr.org.uk
“I received a range of answers to my query, two of which were very useful because they were from people who had experienced similar problems in the field themselves and could therefore give advice based on sound practical experience. The responses gave me an ‘expert view’ to back up what I was proposing to the local engineers and therefore helped me convince them that a re-design of the water system was needed - this will give the water system a much better chance of working and providing a clean water supply for a community of 3,000 people.”
Stephen Jones, former ACTED WATSAN intern
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