Since the start of the violent conflict in North-Eastern Nigeria in 2009, there are an estimated 1.2 million people displaced and more than 135,102 seeking refuge in the neighbouring country of Niger. Six million people are currently in need of life-saving assistance in the three worst-affected states in the North-East: Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

The Emergency Telecommunications Sector (ETS)* was officially activated in Nigeria on 23 November 2016. The ETS in Nigeria is led by the Ministry of Communications and co-led by the World Food Programme (WFP). 

The ETS is concentrating its efforts in Borno and Yobe states to ensure humanitarians can carry out their jobs efficiently and safety, ultimately saving more lives. ETS activities comprise:

• Provision of vital communications services in 10 common operational areas, namely Bama, Banki, Damasak, Damaturu, Dikwa, Gwoza, Maiduguri, Monguno, Ngala and Yola;
• Strengthening coordination and Information Management services provided to the humanitarian community to ensure an effective response and informed decision-making;
• Deliver capacity-building activities to humanitarian actors and Government counterparts. 

*In Nigeria, all clusters are being referred to as sectors. The ETC is therefore operating as the ETS with all project plans, appeals, services and deployments adhering to established procedures.