from RAJI BASHIR in Khartoum, Sudan
Sudan Bureau
KHARTOUM, (CAJ News) – ESCALATING drone strikes in the worsening war in Sudan are exacerbating problems afflicting Sudan’s telecommunications infrastructure.
These aerial attacks worsen a situation that has already been dire owing to frequent internet blackouts and power outages.
Aid workers responding to the conflict are bearing the brunt as they need to maintain communication to respond to crises.
Port Sudan is the city that is worst hit by the drone attacks that have been internationally condemned.
The Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) reports that mobile network and data have been intermittently impacted by the strikes and coverage in Port Sudan has been substantially reduced and unreliable throughout the month.
“Mobile network and data have been intermittently impacted by the strikes and coverage in Port Sudan has been substantially reduced and unreliable throughout the (past) month,” stated Richard Egwangu, ETC coordinator.
ETC, which connects humanitarian organisations, lamented that following the drone attacks, the aid agencies and the local community alike in Port Sudan faced shortage of reliable power, which also impacted on communication.
The organisation disclosed that in response to drone strikes, it in late May initiated contingency planning to address potential disruptions to critical communications infrastructure.
Emergency messaging and blackout protocols were developed and shared with partners.
ETC, activated in May 2023 to support the humanitarian response, suffers funding shortfalls.
It requires US$14 million to fully implement its services in 2025 but has received 4 percent of its target budget.
– CAJ News