Severe funding shortfalls has forced the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) in Yemen to phase out operations in seven locations, including the decommissioning of the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) connectivity services at all International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) offices, according to the latest situation report on ETC activities and operational status
The report added that “As of June as a result, the number of ETC-supported sites dropped from 19 to only five in the country”.
Activated in April 2015 in response to the ongoing conflict, the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) supports humanitarian operations across Yemen. The Operations Management Team (OMT) approved the ETC’s budget for the second half of 2025, covering the period from July to December and supporting continued service delivery.
The report disclosed that “Due to severe funding shortfalls, the ETC has phased out its services in seven locations—Sada’a, Ibb, Aden, Hajjah, Hodeidah, Mokha, and Sana’a. This includes the deactivation of VSAT internet at INGO offices for Save the Children, PU-AMI, NRC, ZOA, ACF, and Islamic Relief.
As part of ongoing site decommissioning and consolidation, the ETC dismantled and recovered equipment from several INGO hubs, including PU-AMI in Mocha, NRC in Hajjah, PU-AMI in Hodeidah, and ACF in Sana’a. On 18 June, the Aden team relocated equipment from the ZOA hub to the WFP warehouse and coordinated the removal of the VSAT station with the service provider.
In response to ongoing funding shortfalls, the ETC began streamlining its operations in March 2025— reducing internet services, consolidating sites, and downsizing staff to sustain essential connectivity.
To date, OHCHR, UNICEF, FAO, UNOPS and WFP have contributed a combined USD 219,399 toward the Q1 cost-sharing target of USD 599,271, enabling partial continuity of ETC operations in Yemen.
The ETC continues to face prolonged delays in importing IT and telecommunications equipment, with some shipments held in Djibouti since 2019 due to a lack of import approvals from Yemeni authorities. Despite repeated diplomatic efforts, no progress has been made.
As a result, the decision was taken to return the equipment to the U.A.E. for disposal in May 2025. The purchase order for the shipment from Djibouti to Dubai is currently being processed