Facebook CEO To Bring Internet Access To Refugee Camps

Facebook will provide Internet access to refugee camps, announced Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. He did not go into the details, but is partnering with the United Nations to work towards eliminating extreme poverty by 2030.

Zuckerberg was attending the U.N. Private Sector Forum along with 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. "Facebook is in a unique position to help maintain this lifeline."

Facebook is working to give Internet access to everyone by 2020. A solar-powered mammoth drone will beam Wi-Fi connections to remote areas according to The New York Times.

Since 2013, Zuckerberg has been giving free Internet access, after he started Internet.org, in partnership with other tech companies. He is hoping to bring four billion people online, making it more affordable and efficient to improve lives and promote growth.

However, the idea is being opposed by digital groups who believe that the free Internet project is counter to "net neutrality." About 67 digital rights groups wrote a letter accusing Internet.org of posing a threat to the "freedom of expression, equality of opportunity, security, privacy and innovation", according to HNGN.

Unfazed, Zuckerberg refused to deviate from his goal. Before addressing the UN crowd, he posted a message on his Facebook account, repeating 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."