‘Countries with special needs’ as defined in ITU resolutions are countries that have gone through periods of armed conflict, civil strife or war and suffered destruction to their telecommunication infrastructure.

ITU provides technical assistance, seed money for the reconstruction of the damaged networks and seeks partners willing to co-finance projects in these countries. Projects are focus on four key areas:

Development of infrastructure and introduction of new technologies
Development of rural telecommunications
Sector restructuring
Human resources development

Afghanistan
Burundi
Central African Republic
Democratic Republic of Congo
Eritrea
Ethiopia

Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Haiti
Iraq
Liberia
Libya

State of Palestine
Rwanda
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Timor-Leste