From reconnecting families after disasters to enabling healthcare, education and economic opportunity, internet access is proving to be far more than a technical service—it is a foundation for resilience, recovery and inclusion.

We may only have had digital connectivity for a few decades, but it’s increasingly cementing itself as a fundamental human right as it becomes essential for job access, education, and even access to healthcare and information. It’s widely recognised as a critical lifeline – and rightly so, yet nearly one-third of the global population still lacks access to the internet thanks to barriers such as a lack of infrastructure and limited digital skills. Unfortunately, much of this is concentrated across the Global South, in what many have called a ‘Global Tech Divide’.

After supporting communities in crisis for over 25 years, we’ve seen first-hand how gaining access to connectivity can impact these communities, not just in times of crisis, but in general. Yes, it’s vital to reconnect communities following crises, but our work on the ground to support poorly connected regions has proven just how far-reaching the impact of connectivity can be – and why it needs to remain an essential part of humanitarian action.

Disasters and conflicts can wreak havoc, and while personal safety and health remain the priority of the humanitarian response, connectivity can be extremely important, and in many cases, can have a positive impact on safety and health too.

Connectivity and Health

After major crises such as Hurricane Melissa last year, for example, the first priority was to ensure the physical safety and health of all those impacted. But soon after, it became clear just how interconnected connectivity had become with psychological health. For over 75% of those affected who accessed the Internet through TSF, this connectivity gave them psychological relief.

But for others, connectivity can have a much more physical impact. Valentina, a 76-year-old internally displaced person in Ukraine, told us how she used our emergency connectivity to help physically: “[On the Internet, I watch] everyday things about health, like about…blood pressures, how to use a tonometer…I listen, I watch. [How] some things could be done a little better – or, like, I measure my blood sugar, how to use [a glucometer]. They show it…and I use it.”

 Human Connection

And of course, in today’s digitally connected world, communication is typically the first thing those affected by a crisis want to access. After experiencing often traumatic events, people want to speak with their loved ones and to let them know they are safe. This connection to their family and loved ones can be a literal lifeline for them as they navigate the situation, they find themselves in.

During our mission following Hurricane Melissa, we were reminded again and again just how important that human connection was. As one of the survivors, Michelle told us: “Connectivity is important because it connects loved ones. Without the Wi-Fi, people cannot have confirmation that people are ok”.

And following a rescue in the Mediterranean Sea, a survivor who was able to access our emergency connectivity to notify their loved ones of their safety explained: “The main thing that plagues your thoughts is the desire to reach your parents and your family to tell them that you are finally in safe hands.”

 The Long-term impact of connectivity

What often gets overlooked is the long-term use of connectivity – both for those who have experienced a crisis, and for those accessing it for the first time. For those who have been through a crisis, access to connectivity is how they can begin to rebuild their lives. But for those who have never been able to access it before, it can be essential to unlock new opportunities.

As one of the participants from our groups for gender-based violence victims in Madagascar told us: “I want to blossom like everyone else. I’d like to find a source of income from the digital world. I think using a smartphone can [help me to] achieve my goals.”

For some, connectivity can have a material impact on their lives. As a young woman in Guatemala who was able to access information via connected screens at a migrant shelter explained: “Information had a great impact on me, as there are things I didn’t know, and it influenced the decisions I made when I arrived at the refuge. It clarified many concerns I had, and that helped me to wait and make the refugee application”.

But, as with any tool, connectivity can be a double-edged sword, which is why access should come with information on how to keep yourself safe in an unfamiliar digital world. As Hery Jean-Francine, a participant in one of our Digital Safety workshops in rural Madagascar, shared: “Before, I tended to accept friend requests from strangers on social media. Now, thanks to the workshop, I understand the risks and am much more cautious: I no longer accept strangers into my virtual circle.”

Why connectivity isn’t just a checkbox

We know that connectivity now needs to be a part of every humanitarian response, but it’s important that we don’t lose sight of why. It’s not just about getting back online; it’s about reconnecting with loved ones, accessing healthcare, and rebuilding lives with access to vital information and new skills. So, while we continue to prioritise connectivity in our work, we’re also working to strengthen internet resilience regionally to reduce the so-called ‘Tech Divide’ and open up new opportunities for communities.

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