Immediate deployment to Ukraine's neighbouring countries
On 24 February 2022, the Russian army launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since the beginning of the conflict, more than 6 million people have been internally displaced and more than 6 million refugees have sought refuge in Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. As men between the ages of 18 and 60 are not allowed to leave the territory of Ukraine, refugees are mainly women, children and elderly people.
Once they cross the border with one of Ukraine's neighbouring countries, the refugees look either for a specific destination or just for a safe place to temporarily seek refuge. This unstable situation is unfortunately conducive to the development of illegal networks that can put refugees, especially women and children, in danger.
TSF deployed a first team on the ground on 28 February. In close coordination with different United Nations agencies, the local authorities nd the other humanitarian organisations active in Ukraine and the neighbouring countries, it has implemented different actions within Ukraine and in neighbouring countries to provide telecom support and access to nformation for the refugees, internally displaced people and humanitarian organisations.
Connectivity on a bus convoy
In Palanca, in the south of Moldova, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the UN agency for refugees (UNHCR), in partnership with the Moldovan and Romanian civil protection, set up a daily bus convoy in rder to safely bring refugees to Romania. This trip lasted between 10 and 16 hours. For people who have left their home and family members in Ukraine, it was a long waiting period after stressful and trying days. During the trip, the concern about their loved ones in kraine and the anxiety for the next steps of their forced and difficult journey could overwhelm them.
TSF installed a free Wi-Fi connection on all the buses of the convoy. This connection allowed the passengers to contact heir relatives remained in Ukraine through instant messaging apps or social media, to find the strength to continue their journey (83%). It also allowed them to check the news on their home country and to look for essential information for the next steps of their journey, thus reducing their level of stress (44%).
The evaluation conducted confirmed that the connection was particularly important for the refugees. 94% of those interviewed stated hat the possibility to use the free Wi-Fi had a positive impact on their lives. The type of positive impact was in line with the uses made of the connection, with 89% reporting psychological improvement upon having access to internet connection and the same percentage stating that they could take an important decision for their lives thanks to the connection. Finally, 72% stated they could find information they didn’t know before through TSF’s free Wi-Fi.
TSF's response to the war in Ukraine
