Former IAP Co-president, M. Hassan, Calls to Restore Internet Access in War-Torn Sudan

The latest editorial published in Nature on 15 October 2024 highlights the urgent need to restore internet access in Sudan amidst ongoing civil conflict. The editorial presents the views of Mohamed H. A. Hassan, president of the Sudanese National Academy of Sciences, who calls for what is now termed "humanitarian connectivity". In large part by being disconnected from the world wide web, the on-going civil war in Sudan has severely disrupted education, healthcare and humanitarian aid efforts in a country that is now facing one of the world's largest hunger crises.

Hassan’s editorial resonates with the mission of IAP, which advocates for the global scientific community’s role in supporting scientists, engineers and medical doctors whose careers have been interrupted by war. Through the collaborative Science in Exile project, IAP aims to coordinate national, regional and international support for refugee and displaced scientists. The project ultimately seeks to empower these scientists to contribute to the rebuilding of their home countries when conditions permit.

As we reflect on the challenges faced by Sudan’s scientific community, IAP encourages collaboration and support for initiatives that can help maintain educational and humanitarian connectivity in the region. To learn more about Hassan's insights on this critical issue, read the full editorial in Nature: Restore Internet access in war-torn Sudan.

Read more about IAP's involvement with the Science in Exile project here.