New York: Zain Group has collaborated with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Facebook to provide free, open and high-speed wireless Internet connectivity to refugees in Jordan for five years.
The announcement was made at the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development meeting in New York.
The life-empowering service is being provided to refugees and surrounding local communities in key areas identified by the UNHCR, and forms part of its Connectivity for Refugees initiative.
More than 724,000 refugees are registered with the UNHCR in Jordan, originating mainly from neighbouring Iraq and Syria, where ongoing unrest has resulted in the displacement of large populations.
The connectivity project, backed by Zain Group, UNHCR and Facebook, will offer unlimited, 24/7 outdoor and indoor Wi-Fi access points through Zain Jordan’s high-speed 4G mobile network, initially in four primary locations across the kingdom, namely Princess Basma Centre in Sahab in greater Amman; Al Khaledeya Centre in Mafraq; Princess Basma Centre in Tafileh and Princess Basma Centre in Karak.
Reliable Internet connectivity is critical to supporting efforts to make the lives of refugees as comfortable and dignified as possible, allowing them to maintain contact with their loved ones back in home countries.
The refugee centres already offer assistance to refugees and vulnerable Jordanians in the form of psychological support, recreational activities, informal education as well as economic empowerment programmes and life skills development.
They also host regular help desks run by UNHCR staff to address refugee needs such as registration, documentation, health referrals, financial assistance and protection counselling, in addition to assistance to refugees with special needs and life-enhancing workshops.
All these services will be impacted positively by the provision of sound Internet connectivity within the centres.
Zain Group chief executive and a Broadband Commissioner Scott Gegenheimer said, “As a regional telecommunications provider that has a history of operating and helping communities in conflict zones, we are well aware of the transformational power connectivity in improving the quality of
life of people.
“In addition to staying in touch with loved ones, this initiative will enable refugees in Jordan to stay informed with news concerning their circumstances as well as empower them to utilise the power of Internet to enhance their economic livelihoods, bringing some peace of mind and dignity to their dire situation.”
UNHCR’s Connectivity for Refugees Programme lead Alan Vernon said, “UNHCR is pleased to partner with Facebook and Zain to bring Internet access to refugees in Jordan. Not only does Internet access directly improve the well-being of refugees, but it also enables UNHCR and its partners to communicate more effectively with refugees and deliver improved support to their communities.”
Facebook’s Mobile and Global Access Policy vice-president Kevin Martin said, “Everyone in the world – including millions of refugees who have been displaced from their homes – deserve access to opportunities of Internet. Our hope is that by collaborating with the UNHCR and Zain Group, refugee communities in Jordan will now be able to connect with their families and friends, share information, and become part of the global digital community.”
This multi-stakeholder collaboration addresses several of the 17 ambitious Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) that were adopted by 193 world leaders at the UN’s meeting in September last year aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity of all in the coming 15 years.