SUMMARY OF NEEDS
The conflict has resulted in extensive disruption and damage to the local telecommunications infrastructure. Six months on, services have not been fully restored. Reports show that power grid and mobile networks are still disrupted, hampering the ability for humanitarian personnel and affected people to communicate.
Effective communication services are essential during emergencies, ensuring the safety of humanitarian personnel and enabling the smooth flow of humanitarian assistance to reach those most in need. There is therefore a need for the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) to continue providing and expanding independent shared communication services in identified common operational areas to support humanitarian efforts.
RESPONSE STRATEGY
The ETC's aims to facilitate the provision of life-saving aid by offering coordination and information management for telecommunication services. Regular coordination and timely information sharing are essential for informed decision-making, avoiding redundancy, and enabling an effective response. This ensures collaboration with local actors and responders. The cluster will provide shared ICT services in partner premises and identified common operational locations. Services include shared data connectivity, independent security communications, helpdesk support, and user training on devices where required. The ETC will leverage its global and local partnership networks to further assess and deliver critical information and communication technology (ICT) services.
TARGETING & PRIORITIZATION
The ETC commits to engaging with UN agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations to facilitate the delivery of ICT services in areas where humanitarian responders operate. Priority locations will be determined through forums like the ICCG and HCT. Ongoing inter-agency coordination efforts will promote effective collaboration among various stakeholders. The ETC will continue to provide situation reports, maps, and dashboards for current humanitarian information to support decision-making.
While maintaining and improving connectivity services in Sudan's eastern region, the ETC plans to expand services nationwide, focusing on Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan regions. Security telecommunications will remain a core service, with an emphasis on enhancing existing services and developing contingency plans to address potential relocations or new hubs.
PROMOTING QUALITY & INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING
The cluster will continue supporting stronger accountability to affected people by enabling access to shared platforms and other services to disseminate critical humanitarian information and possibly receive feedback from affected communities.
COST OF RESPONSE
The ETC requires $6.3 million to continue its provision and expansion of the shared ICT services across Sudan in support of humanitarian operations.