Vulnerable coastal or mountainous remote communities in the Philippines are frequently hit by typhoons and lose electricity and cell coverage. While not a factual coverage, this narrative is a conceptual model inspired by real-world efforts, like the field tests developed by Light of Hope grassroot organisation. Using Seeed Studio’s card trackers, Light of Hope deploys a low-cost, decentralised communication network suitable for disaster response and remote coordination, demonstrating also the utility of off-grid, solar-powered LoRa mesh networks running Meshtastic firmware.
Produced by Mary Ann Busano for the Call for Narratives on community-centred connectivity initiatives and environmental justice, this piece illustrates how local residents can maintain long-range text communication independent of traditional cellular grids, showing a way communities could have a system to organise for disaster resilience and sustain advocacy for environmental justice.
Off-grid mesh networks: Empowering communities for disaster resilience in the Philippines
1. Vulnerable locations
Remote areas face stronger typhoons and floods.
2. Communication breaks
Cell towers fail leaving communities disconnected
3. Community network
Community-managed mesh networks could provide a resilient alternative.
4. Local setup
Low-power nodes could connect homes, boats and mountaintops using renewable energy.
5. Disaster response
As mesh networks work without internet, they could enable rapid disaster response and persistent connection
6. Community resilience
Which could empower communities to organize for disaster resilience and sustained advocay for environmental justice.
Mary Ann Busano is a computer science student from the Philippines with interests in design, art and sustainable futures. She is particularly interested in technological developments focused on decentralisation, community collaboration, social justice and environmental sustainability. Through studies and participation in various programmes and initiatives, Mary Ann explores how technology can support human and ecological well-being while addressing the needs and priorities of local communities.
All authors were consulted regarding the use of AI, following APC policy on AI-generated content guidelines, which prioritise transparency. The author of this work reported not using AI.
About Call for Narratives
The Call for Narratives on community-centred connectivity initiatives and environmental justice brings together proposals from different regions and countries around the world, featuring a variety of community environmental concerns to address the ways in which CCCIs are facing climate change, caring for the environmental issues affecting their territories and developing strategies to act in their different contexts. Find all the selected proposals here.
This call was launched in the framework of the COP30 following which the LocNet initiative developed a series of activities to highlight the intersection of community-centred connectivity and socio-environmental justice, recognising that communities are often at the frontline of both the territorial and environmental impacts of technology, as well as the consequences of climate change. Learn more about this initiative here.
The LocNet initiative is a collective effort led by APC and Rhizomatica in partnership with grassroots communities and support organisations in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean. This call is part of its “Meaningful community-centred connectivity” project implemented with financial support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and UK International Development from the UK Government through its Digital Access Programme. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the supporters’ view, but that does not make them any less valuable.