N'Djamena: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and ITU, the UN agency for digital technologies, are intensifying their efforts in Chad and other refugee-hosting countries to connect millions of forcibly displaced individuals and local communities by 2030. This initiative is part of a broader push to enhance digital accessibility for refugees and their hosts.
According to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, President of the GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation John Giusti, and UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly T. Clements concluded a two-day visit to Chad, where they observed how connectivity is impacting the lives of vulnerable communities. In Chad, Sudanese refugees and Chadians are utilizing digital tools to access education, financial services, and healthcare, contributing to their stability and self-reliance.
The partners aimed to strengthen the regulatory and infrastructure framework to advance the Connectivity for Refugees (CfR) initiative in Chad. Launched in 2023 during the Global Refugee Forum, the CfR initiative seeks to provide affordable connectivity to all major refugee-hosting areas by 2030. It operates in countries like Chad, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mauritania, Egypt, and Rwanda, offering tailored programs that map communities most in need.
ITU's Bogdan-Martin emphasized the transformative potential of connectivity, stating, "In Chad, we witnessed how connectivity can restore dignity and hope for displaced people and host communities. The initiative opens doors to digital opportunity where an internet connection is vital."
UNHCR's Clements highlighted the proactive drive of refugees to connect and improve their lives, with a goal of connecting 20 million forcibly displaced people and their hosts by 2030. She stressed the importance of continuing efforts to create resilient, inclusive communities.
Chad is home to approximately 1.5 million refugees, primarily from Sudan. The government's development plan, Tchad Connexion 2030, includes digital inclusion and refugee needs. Local mobile operators Airtel Chad and Moov have upgraded infrastructure to connect the country's isolated east. Additionally, Emergency.LU, funded by Luxembourg, is providing high-performance satellite connectivity across Chad, with four connected centers being established in refugee settlements.
UNHCR calls on partners across sectors to scale up efforts to address the urgent needs of millions, including expanding infrastructure and removing regulatory barriers to individual access for displaced people. The Connectivity for Refugees initiative seeks at least $20 million in core support, with $200 million in direct investment and contributions.
ITU collaborates with telecom regulators and industry leaders to bridge the digital divide, developing innovative digital solutions for underserved regions. The Partner2Connect Digital Coalition has mobilized commitments from governments, companies, and organizations to unlock connectivity solutions for refugees. ITU's Disaster Connectivity Map provides critical data to guide interventions in crisis-stricken regions like Chad.
The GSMA, a founding member of the Connectivity for Refugees Initiative, serves as a link between mobile network operators and humanitarian organizations. GSMAs Giusti noted the importance of connectivity for those seeking safety, highlighting the partnership's role in providing scalable and sustainable solutions globally.
UNHCR is also enhancing its collaboration with development actors like the World Bank and IFC, aiming to allocate portions of large-scale digital infrastructure projects to refugee-hosting areas.