Media Blackout

Millions of people suffer dire consequences when a country shuts down the Internet. It stops individuals from connecting with their families and finding refuge in regions unaffected by war. Wireless Internet is now essential for accessing life-saving necessities. Necessary money transfer applications become prohibited from reaching vulnerable individuals. For nonprofit organizations, e-wallets are a crucial service. The nonprofits distributed the funds to philanthropic public services. Early February 2024 marked an occurrence in Sudan. The ongoing civil unrest in Sudan has decreased the level of safety in the region. The Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces came to an overwhelming conclusion. They implemented an internet shutdown. This hasty action deterred families from neighboring countries from documenting the gruesome human rights violations. It occurred during the precipice of Ramandha. Ramandha exposes human starvation. The Internet shutdown completely halts the critical human rights operators’ efforts and emergency service providers. One group hit hard is the Emergency Response Rooms that were curated to help support Sudanese who became victims because of the brutal war. They provide life-saving services to vulnerable communities. The platform of their services depends on the individual having a wireless internet connection. These virtual rooms comprise volunteers who process requests from WhatsApp and various other social media applications. These digital requests detail their evacuation requirements, visual markers of their routes and exits, transportation availability, and access to necessities for human survival. The Emergency Response Rooms have stated they are struggling to communicate with their colleagues on the ground to prepare a schedule to deliver survival necessities. The dedicated, hardworking team struggles to purchase food and medicine. It tragically halted their soup kitchen operations in greater Khartoum. Their healthcare system is imperial because of the decision to shut down the Internet. The Emergency Response Room workers have difficulty purchasing medicine and medical equipment for the few healthcare services that still operate within the city. Sudan is in complete disarray. The catastrophic humanitarian crisis has killed over 14,6000 people. Nine million people have become displaced within their country. It is the most prevalent international displacement in the world.

We must work to help Sudan rebuild from these catastrophic human rights disasters.