The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are intensifying their collaboration with various partners in Chad and other nations hosting refugees to ensure that millions of forcibly displaced individuals and residents gain access to connectivity by 2030.
Following a two-day joint visit to Chad, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation President John Giusti, and UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly T. Clements experienced firsthand the transformative impact of connectivity on vulnerable communities. In Chad, Sudanese refugees and locals are utilising digital tools to access education, financial services, and healthcare, paving the way for enhanced stability and self-sufficiency.
During their time in Chad, the partners worked to strengthen the regulatory and infrastructural framework of the Connectivity for Refugees (CfR) initiative. This initiative, launched in 2023 at the Global Refugee Forum, aims to mobilise resources to ensure affordable connectivity across all major refugee-hosting areas by 2030. It has since evolved into a public-private partnership operating in countries such as Chad, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mauritania, Egypt, and Rwanda, with programs tailored to each community’s specific needs.
“In Chad, we saw how connectivity can restore dignity and provide hope to displaced individuals and their host communities,” stated ITU’s Bogdan-Martin. “The Connectivity for Refugees initiative is crucial for fostering digital opportunities where internet access is a vital necessity. We must act now to ensure that no one is overlooked.”
“Many people see refugees as mere victims, but during our visit to Chad, we observed their eagerness to connect, learn, and improve their lives,” remarked UNHCR’s Clements. “Our ambitious goal is to connect 20 million displaced individuals and their local communities by 2030. We are making progress, but we must continue our efforts.”
Chad currently houses approximately 1.5 million refugees, primarily from Sudan. The Chadian government is dedicated to fostering digital inclusion within its development strategy, Tchad Connexion 2030, which addresses the needs of refugees as part of a broader digital infrastructure initiative. Local mobile carriers, Airtel Chad and Moov, have enhanced their infrastructure to provide connectivity in the country’s underserved eastern regions—additionally, Emergency.LU, a public-private partnership funded by Luxembourg, is introducing high-performance satellite connectivity across various locations in Chad, establishing four connected centres in the Djabal, Farchana, Idrimi, and Oure Cassoni settlements to serve as educational hubs for both Sudanese refugees and host communities.
UNHCR is appealing to partners across various sectors to help scale these efforts to address the urgent needs of millions. This includes expanding infrastructure and easing regulatory barriers to individual access for displaced individuals. Connectivity for Refugees seeks a minimum of US$20 million in core funding, alongside $200 million in direct investment and contributions.
To bridge the global digital divide, ITU collaborates with telecom regulators and industry leaders to develop innovative digital solutions for underserved regions. Its Partner2Connect Digital Coalition has gathered commitments from over 70 governments, companies, and organisations to unlock connectivity solutions for refugees. Additionally, the Disaster Connectivity Map provides essential data to inform interventions in crisis-affected areas, such as Chad.
As a founding member of the Connectivity for Refugees Initiative, GSMA plays a crucial role in connecting mobile network operators with humanitarian organisations. Giusti emphasised, “Connectivity is often the top priority for individuals seeking safety across borders. This unique partnership with UNHCR and ITU enables GSMA to facilitate scalable and sustainable connectivity solutions for displaced people and their host communities worldwide.”
UNHCR is also enhancing its collaboration with development bodies, such as the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to ensure that a part of large-scale digital infrastructure projects is allocated to refugee-hosting regions.
