For people forced to flee and the communities that host them, connectivity is a lifeline. Meaningful connectivity enables access to education, health services, livelihoods, protection, and participation in society, while also providing life-saving information, including early warnings in times of emergencies. However, forcibly displaced populations face significant barriers to accessing digital infrastructure and services.
The Connectivity for Refugees (CfR) initiative, launched in December 2023 at the Global Refugee Forum aims to bridge connectivity and infrastructure gaps that limit access to the digital world for refugees and host communities. By strengthening digital connectivity, the initiative enables access to essential services, digital skills development, and economic opportunities, supporting inclusive and sustainable growth for displaced populations and their hosts.
This high-level dialogue is organized as part of the World Summit on the Information Society Forum 2026 and has the following objectives:
- Highlight the critical role of meaningful connectivity for refugees and host communities.
- Present the goals, progress, and impact of the CfR initiative.
- Discuss practical challenges and innovative solutions for providing digital access in displacement contexts.
- Explore opportunities for multi-stakeholder collaboration to scale sustainable connectivity solutions.