emergency.lu is reinforcing critical connectivity for frontline humanitarian operations in Farchana, eastern Chad, where the ongoing conflict in Darfur has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee across the border. UN offices, guesthouses and warehouses in Darfur have been severely damaged or looted, prompting the evacuation of international staff and the displacement of national staff. As a result, Farchana has rapidly become a major coordination hub for agencies delivering cross‑border assistance.
Luxembourg shipped an advanced O3b mPOWER medium Earth orbit (MEO) solution—featuring an mP130 integrated outdoor modem/antenna, interface unit, 1.2‑m dual mount frame, Aquarius modem and all related power and data cabling—to UNHCR Chad.
The first O3b mPOWER antenna was installed on site in November 2025, marking a major leap forward in connectivity for both humanitarian staff and local communities. This new generation MEO system delivers high‑throughput, low‑latency, highly resilient satellite bandwidth, dramatically improving operational capacity for the Farchana base camp and the wider humanitarian response.
The upgraded connectivity enables UNHCR and partners to run vital tools such as registration and case management systems, coordinate logistics across the Chad–Sudan border, and maintain secure communications for staff working in high‑risk conditions. Beyond agency operations, the improved network forms a cornerstone of the Connectivity for Refugees initiative in eastern Chad, where Farchana is identified as a priority site for connected learning centres and community digital access spaces serving both refugees and host populations.
Through the combined deployment of emergency.lu rapid‑response terminals, the strategic upgrade to O3b mPOWER, and on‑site technical missions, Luxembourg is helping transform Farchana into a resilient operational hub—where next‑generation satellite connectivity strengthens humanitarian action, supports displaced communities, and enhances safety along Chad’s fragile Sudanese frontier.
This operations builds on earlier deployments to the region: read more about it here.
