In 2019 Avanti Communications began to use its satellite technology, which provides coverage across Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and the Middle East, to improve the welfare of refugees, host communities and humanitarian organisations in one of the largest refugee settlements in East Africa, the Bidi Bidi refugee camp, partnering with the Social Innovation Academy (SINA).

The camp, based in Northern Uganda, hosts over 270,000 displaced people from the neighbouring conflict in Southern Sudan, and is located in a remote, off-grid area, making it difficult to provide support for the refugees and the overtaxed host communities and local resources.

The key objectives of the Bidi Bidi project are:
-To tackle failing education and unemployment. This has been achieved by creating learning spaces, where local disadvantaged youth and refugees can have access to online courses, job and grant applications, self-learning websites, researching project and enterprise ideas.

- To help refugees turn their own challenges into opportunities. This has been achieved by working with SINA to provide refugees with online access to understand their past as a strength, rather than a subject of shame and create solutions to local problems by themselves, thereby tackling root causes of social problems.

- To helping refugees stay connected with their relatives back home. This has been achieved by providing satellite connectivity, solar connectivity equipment, installation, laptops, maintenance and customer support.

Results:

SINA’s connected centre is being used by over 100 people on a daily basis including teachers and youth from the surrounding area. Refugees and the host communities are using either their smartphones or the laptops provided by Avanti to get online.

https://www.avantiplc.com/blog/bringing-connectivity-to-refugee-settlements-across-east-africa/

• Northwestern Uganda, Uganda

• Refugees and internally displaced people
• Remote and rural communities

This project can be replicated to provide broadband connectivity to remote refugee sites across Africa, and the world. The model implemented for the Bidi-Bidi project is simple and easy to set up, the infrastructure can be scaled bigger or smaller depending on the size of the refugee site where Avanti has satellite coverage positioned. Setting up all the equipment also involves minimal installation time and can be up and running with internet in a matter of days once all of the equipment is in country.

An example of how this model is already being replicated can be found in the expansion of Avanti’s refugee connectivity in East Africa and connecting further sites in refugee settlements. Avanti will be connecting sites in Palabek, Imvepi, Bidi Bidi, Kiryandongo, Maaji II and Rhino Camp refugee settlements throughout this expansion. The settlements, predominantly hosting refugees from ongoing conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, are remote and off grid.

The Bidi Bidi project has been set up with sustainability in mind - going forward the connectivity provided to the refugee community can be used to set up a community Wi-Fi centre where people can pay for access to internet connectivity, which in return will fund the ongoing cost of the connectivity and equipment. In addition, the site has been set up to drive the community to develop skills and obtain jobs which can be positively reflected back into the community creating a cycle of learning and development for the area.

This project promotes the values of equality, solidarity and freedom because it brings dignity and unison to refugees who had to flee their countries due to ongoing conflicts and have lost everything through something that might appear to be simple – internet connection. Providing access to internet for all members in the area makes them feel less isolated and provides them with learning and earning opportunities. SINA’s connected centre is being used by over 100 people on a daily basis including teachers and youth from the surrounding area. Refugees and the host communities are using either their smartphones or the laptops provided by Avanti to get online. The internet is mainly used for: Online self-learning websites and MOOCs, such as Coursera, Khan Academy, edX, Udemy, enterprises selling products online, research about project/ enterprise ideas and learning from similar initiatives. The project has helped to create revenue generate opportunities, increase refugee self-reliance and ease the pressure on host countries. Since the beginning of the project, social enterprises have emerged, which are solving local challenges while providing a dignified income.