Tomedes Online Multilingual Interpretation Boosted Global Relief Outreach

About the client

Company Name: Global Relief Initiatives (GRI)

What does the company do?
Global Relief Initiatives (GRI) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing disaster risks and strengthening community resilience worldwide. Their mission focuses on proactive disaster preparedness, sustainable recovery, and global collaboration across public, private, and civil sectors. It works closely with governments, humanitarian agencies, and grassroots organizations to implement life-saving strategies that protect vulnerable populations before, during, and after crises.

Deadline set by the client: 3 days (6 hours each day)
What do they need?
GRI needed remote multilingual interpretation, with a critical focus on Russian and English, to ensure real-time understanding among participants. The meeting was held under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFP), bringing together experts, policymakers, and humanitarian leaders. With Russian-speaking attendees playing an active role in the discussions, accurate and timely interpretation was key to fostering inclusive communication and driving global collaboration.

The challenges

Taking a high-stakes, multilingual meeting online is no small feat. For Global Relief Initiatives (GRI), the goal was to bring together a diverse group of international participants to discuss critical disaster risk reduction strategies—all in real time and across multiple languages, with a special emphasis on Russian-English communication. While the digital setting offered convenience and global reach, it also came with a unique set of challenges that demanded careful planning and flawless execution.

First, GRI needed simultaneous interpretation between Russian and English to accommodate participants joining from different regions and linguistic backgrounds. Interpreters had to stay in perfect sync with the speakers—listening, translating, and delivering in the target language without missing a beat. With many of the Russian-speaking attendees actively contributing, accuracy and responsiveness were non-negotiable.

Second, the content of the event was particularly complex and often sensitive. These were not just generic presentations—they involved policy-driven discussions, international aid protocols, and disaster mitigation strategies. Interpreters needed to have a deep understanding of the subject matter and cultural nuances to ensure that both Russian and English messages were not only translated correctly but also conveyed respectfully and contextually.

Third, the virtual format posed technical challenges that couldn’t be ignored. From ensuring stable audio feeds to managing multilingual channels on the platform, every detail had to be seamless. A single glitch or a miscommunication could cause delays or confusion, especially when switching between Russian and English speakers. It was essential to have robust technical infrastructure and a skilled support team behind the scenes.

Why Tomedes?

Tomedes is a global translation company specializing in professional interpretations for high-stakes, multilingual events where precision and clarity are critical. We bring years of experience delivering interpretation services for international organizations, including UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs. That expertise translates directly into confidence and seamless communication when it matters most.

For GRI’s event, we assigned certified interpreters with specific expertise in Russian to English interpretation, particularly in the fields of disaster relief, diplomacy, and international development. These professionals weren’t just fluent in both languages—they understood the tone, context, and vocabulary necessary to handle policy discussions with precision. Whether the speaker was delivering a high-level report in Russian or contributing to a fast-paced English Q&A, our interpreters made sure every word landed as intended.

Our end-to-end service ensured nothing was left to chance. From early coordination and glossary development to live support during the sessions, we worked closely with GRI’s team to provide peace of mind at every stage. Our dedicated project managers and on-call tech support team ensured the event ran without a hitch, allowing the GRI team to stay focused on their mission—not on the mechanics of multilingual delivery.

The solution

Every successful Russian-English interpretation project hinges on three core elements: preparation, precision, and performance. At Tomedes, we ensured that each of these pillars was firmly in place.

First, we began with in-depth preparation. Our interpreters received background materials, a detailed agenda, and a client-approved terminology list including Russian and English terms relevant to disaster risk reduction. We also conducted alignment sessions with the organizers to clarify tone, expected challenges, and communication preferences. This preparation was especially vital given the technical nature of the discussions and the need for culturally sensitive language.

Second, during the event, our remote simultaneous interpreters worked in real time using a secure, multilingual platform. Each interpreter was assigned to the Russian-English language pair and scheduled in strategic shifts to avoid fatigue and ensure consistent quality. Whether interpreting for Russian-speaking experts presenting data or English-speaking moderators guiding the conversation, our linguists maintained clarity and flow across both directions.

Lastly, we provided comprehensive technical support throughout the three-day event. Our tech team monitored every session, managing interpreter handovers and troubleshooting audio, channel, or platform issues. With Russian-English interpretation being a central component of the sessions, we ensured that no technical issue ever disrupted the communication. Backup interpreters and real-time chat coordination were also in place to keep the sessions running smoothly.

The results

GRI’s online meeting successfully connected a global audience—and with Russian-English interpretation at the heart of the sessions, participants were able to engage confidently and without barriers. Whether listening in Russian or English, every attendee could follow the discussion in real time, ask questions, and contribute to the conversation. The result was a powerful example of how expert interpretation fosters truly inclusive communication.

Behind the scenes, our efforts ensured that everything ran seamlessly. From early preparation to live execution, the Tomedes team maintained a high level of professionalism, accuracy, and agility. There were no interruptions, no missteps, and no missed messages—just clear, effective dialogue across languages. GRI was so pleased with the outcome that they now consider Tomedes a trusted partner for future Russian-English multilingual events.

Conclusion

Your international meetings deserve more than just basic communication—they deserve clarity, cultural nuance, and professionalism. Whether you’re working across continents or just across time zones, online multilingual interpretation from Tomedes ensures that every voice is heard and respected.

So if Russian to English interpretation is central to your next project, don’t leave it to chance. Partner with Tomedes and experience the power of seamless, real-time communication. Contact Tomedes today to discuss your interpretation needs and learn how we can support your next multilingual event.