Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on Saturday that his company would be providing Internet access to refugee camps. Though he didn't detail when and how it would happen, he is partnering with the United Nations to eliminate extreme poverty by 2030.
The Facebook founder made the announcement when he attended the U.N. Private Sector Forum. The attendees included government leaders and other business executives.
"Connectivity will help refugees better access support from the aid community and maintain links to family and loved ones," he said, quoted by BBC News. "Facebook is in a unique position to help maintain this lifeline."
Aside from providing Internet access to the refugees, Facebook is also working on giving it to everyone by 2020. The company has displayed pieces of a solar-powered mammoth drone that would beam Wi-Fi connections to areas that don't have coverage, the The New York Times reported.
Zuckerberg has been strongly promoting free Internet access since 2013 when he founded Internet.org, along with other tech companies. The group aims to bring four billion people online by making Internet access more affordable and more efficient to improve their lives and promote business growth.
Despite the humanitarian idea, Internet.org is facing opposition as digital groups claim that the free Internet project violates the principles of "net neutrality." As HNGN previously reported, 67 digital rights groups wrote a letter stating how Internet.org is threatening the freedom of expression, equality of opportunity, security, privacy and innovation.
Zuckerberg remained focused on his mission. Prior to his U.N. speech, he posted a message on his Facebook account reiterating that Internet access should be a global priority.
"We have a simple message. Internet access is essential for achieving humanity's Global Goals," Zuckerberg wrote. "By giving people access to the tools, knowledge and opportunities of the internet, we can give a voice to the voiceless and power to the powerless. We also know that the internet is a vital enabler of jobs, growth and opportunity. And research tells us that for every 10 people connected to the internet, about 1 is lifted out of poverty."
