In 2017, Luxembourg contributed to a technical support mission in Colombia under the framework of the UN–Germany Memorandum of Understanding for technical relief support to UN missions. Within this cooperation, the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) deployed a team to assist the United Nations Mission in Colombia (UNMC), specifically its Communications and Information Technology Section (CITS), in strengthening and expanding its digital radio communications infrastructure.

Recognising the critical importance of reliable radio communications for mission operations—including coordination, security, and field mobility—Luxembourg seconded a HIT (Humanitarian Intervention Team) ICT specialist to join the THW team during the implementation phase of the project.

The deployment focused on enhancing the technical capabilities of the UN mission’s radio network. On 17 April 2017, Luxembourg handed over a substantial set of 250 specialised radio connectors. These components were essential for the installation, extension, and maintenance of the radio network and were formally registered in the UNMC inventory for humanitarian use only.

To further support operational sustainability, an additional contribution was made on 23 May 2017, when Luxembourg donated a MiniVNA PRO HF–VHF analyser kit. This device allowed field technicians to test, tune, and maintain radio frequency systems, ensuring optimal performance of the network over time.

At the request of UNMC CITS, communicated through THW, Luxembourg extended the deployment of its expert for an additional two weeks (27 June to 11 July 2017). This extension was critical for:

• Finalising system configuration and optimisation
• Supporting the completion of network implementation
• Ensuring proper handover of technical documentation and configuration guidelines

The Luxembourg specialist also provided guidance to UN personnel, enabling local teams to independently manage and maintain the radio infrastructure after the mission’s completion.

This operation illustrated emergency.lu’s ability to support specialised telecommunications projects beyond satellite connectivity, contributing to the development of resilient communication systems in complex operational environments. By working in close partnership with THW and the United Nations, Luxembourg helped strengthen the mission’s communications backbone, ensuring reliable and secure radio connectivity for ongoing peace support and coordination activities in Colombia.