Since its activation on 14 January 2013, the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC)—now operating as the Emergency Telecommunications Sector (ETS) since July 2025—has provided shared security communications and internet connectivity services to humanitarian responders across Syria and neighbouring Turkiye, under the Whole of Syria (WoS) approach.

Over a decade into Syria’s civil war, humanitarian needs remain vast and complex, with 16.7 million people now requiring assistance—up from 15.3 million in 2023—amid ongoing fuel and electricity shortages. 

In July 2025, the Humanitarian Coordinator confirmed Syria’s transition from the Cluster to Sectoral coordination model to streamline planning and service delivery across operational hubs. ETS operations remain unchanged, though a transition plan is under review due to funding gaps. 

ETS continues to deliver vital communications services across eight common humanitarian areas—Aleppo, Damascus, Deir Ez-Zor, Hama, Homs, Tartous, Qamishli, and Gaziantep—enabling responders to operate safely and maintain coordination in the field.