Connectivity remains a lifeline for refugees, says GSMA’s John Giusti
Date: 2025-11-10
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
GSMA Chief
Regulatory Officer and President of the Mobile for Development Foundation, John
Giusti, has stressed the critical role of connectivity in supporting refugees,
following a visit to communities on the eastern border of Chad where thousands
have fled conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region.
Mr. Giusti
said access to mobile connectivity continues to provide affected populations
with essential resources including information, education, financial inclusion
services and the means to communicate with family members. His visit forms part
of the ongoing Connectivity for Refugees initiative involving the GSMA, the
International Telecommunication Union, UNHCR, the Government of Luxembourg, and
the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation
and Foreign Trade.
He
highlighted ongoing collaboration between GSMA members Airtel and Moov,
humanitarian agencies and government partners, demonstrating progress in
delivering digital access to displaced people. Giusti noted that partnerships
of this kind remain crucial in advancing efforts to reach the target of
connecting 20 million refugees and host communities by 2030.
He
described his engagement with refugee communities in Chad as a powerful
reminder that access to digital services is not a luxury but a lifeline,
especially in crisis environments where communication and access to financial
tools directly impact survival, resilience and recovery.
