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Connecting Humanity

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Connecting Humanity
FounderMirna El Helbawi
Location
Award(s)Electronic Frontier Foundation award for Championing Internet Access in Gaza
Websitegazaesims.com

Connecting Humanity (also known as eSims for Gaza) is an activist collective which provides internet access to people in Gaza using donated eSIMs, allowing them to connect to networks outside of Gaza.[1][2][3] It is run by Mirna El Helbawi, an Egyptian journalist, writer and activist.[4][5] Over 200,000 people in Gaza (around 10% of the population) have received internet access through an eSIM.[6][7]

Background

The Israeli Ministry of Communications has control over the cellular communications and technology Palestinians may build, which has been limited to 2G.[1][8] Direct attacks on telecommunications infrastructure by Israel, electricity blockades and fuel shortages have caused the near-total collapse of Gaza's largest cell network providers.[5][6][9]

Lack of internet access has obstructed Gazan citizens from communicating with loved ones, learning of IDF operations, and identifying both the areas most exposed to bombing and possible escape routes.[5] The blackouts have also impeded emergency services, making it more difficult to locate and access the time-critical injured,[5] and have impeded humanitarian aid agencies and journalists as well.[5][10]

First use of eSIMs

The Egyptian journalist, writer and activist Mirna El Helbawi discovered that eSIMs (a programmable SIM card built into a smartphone[11]) could be used by people in Gaza to connect to remote telecommunication networks whilst roaming (primarily Egyptian and Israeli networks).[12][13][14] The first people she was able to connect by this method were Egyptian journalist Ahmed El-Madhoun and Palestinian journalist Hind Khoudary.[15][5][10] The collective currently uses eSIMs from the providers Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, and Simly which are activated by transmissible, one-time QR codes.[16]

Impact

By December 2023, 200,000 Gazans (approximately 10% of the population) had received internet access through an eSIM provided by Connecting Humanity.[17] In 2024 they were recognised by the Electronics Frontier Foundation awards for 'Championing Internet Access in Gaza'.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b Vo, Lam Thuy (2023-11-07). "'Let Me Tell Them Goodbye Before They Get Killed': How eSIM Cards Are Connecting Palestinian Families – The Markup". themarkup.org. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  2. ^ Kershner, Isabel; Nereim, Vivian; Shankar, Vivek; Rogers, Katie (29 October 2023). "Gazans had no cell service. An effort led from Egypt helped reconnect them". The New York Times.
  3. ^ "eSims For Gaza". gazaesims.com. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  4. ^ "This activist is helping Palestinians get back online in Gaza when connection is lost under Israeli attack". CNN. 2023-12-04. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Español, Marc (2024-01-29). "The Egyptians who have sent more than 130,000 digital cell phone cards to Gaza to defy blackouts". EL PAÍS English. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
  6. ^ a b Aly, Rasha (2023-12-17). "Palestinians in Gaza using eSim cards to get around communications blackout". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  7. ^ "When Gaza lost telephone and internet connection, this activist found a way to get Palestinians back online". The Mercury News. 2023-12-03. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  8. ^ "Why Gaza keeps losing communications". Washington Post. 2024-01-16. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  9. ^ Vo, Lam Thuy (2023-11-07). "'Let Me Tell Them Goodbye Before They Get Killed': How eSIM Cards Are Connecting Palestinian Families – The Markup". themarkup.org. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  10. ^ a b Shabana, Yasmin (2023-12-07). "Tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza are staying connected to the world via donated eSIMs". Quartz. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  11. ^ "What is an eSIM? Here's all you need to know in 2024". Saily. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  12. ^ Collier, Kevin; Abdelkader, Rima (19 January 2024). "Palestinians are using donated eSIM cards to stay in touch with the outside world". NBC News. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  13. ^ "How eSims are helping thousands in Gaza stay connected amid blackouts". NPR.
  14. ^ "How eSIMs and social media are helping Gazans stay online". Marketplace. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  15. ^ Hesham, Merna (2024-03-19). "'Palestinians won't be silenced again!' : Egyptian journalist Mirna El-Helbawi initiative to get Gaza back online". Ahram Online.
  16. ^ "eSims For Gaza". gazaesims.com. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  17. ^ Elassar, Alaa; Tucker, Emma (2023-12-03). "When Gaza lost phone and internet under Israeli attack, this activist found a way to get Palestinians back online". CNN. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  18. ^ "EFF Awards 2024". Electronic Frontier Foundation. 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
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