Attachments
The Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) was activated in Syria in January 2013 in response to the conflict. In July 2025, it transitioned to a streamlined sectoral coordination model as the Emergency Telecommunications Sector (ETS). After 13 years of support, the ETS concluded its operations in Syria in December 2025.
Highlights
• Activated in January 2013, the ETC ensured humanitarians across Syria—and in cross-border operations from Jordan, Lebanon, and Türkiye—could carry out life-saving work with reliable, secure communications. Over the years, it became a backbone of the response, providing shared internet and security communications services to more than 900 staff from 17 agencies at peak operation.
• To keep responders connected and safe, the ETC supported six UNDSS-managed Security Operations Centres (SOC) and with {TESS+}, deployed a Remote Security Operations Centre (RSOC) linking five remote locations. Connectivity was further strengthened through major upgrades, including new fibre links in the UN hubs in Aleppo and Deir Ezzor and continued improvements across common operational sites.
• Capacity strengthening remained central throughout the mission. Hundreds of ICT and security communications personnel were trained over 13 years in radio technologies, security communications equipment, cybersecurity, and other essential skills— building a stronger, more resilient humanitarian ICT community.
• The ETC also played a critical role in enabling safe air operations, installing ground-to-air radios for UNHAS flights in Damascus, Aleppo, Deir Ezzor, and Qamishli to ensure reliable nationwide communication support.
• By the end of December 2025, ETC operations concluded due to funding and operational constraints. To ensure continuity of essential services, ETS worked with WFP and UN partners to establish a 2026 cost-sharing model and launch a transition plan that preserves institutional knowledge and maintains critical communications support for the humanitarian community.