study from Gaza, for example, found that difficulties faced by university students in accessing the internet to resume their education online during the latest war was significantly associated with high levels of anxiety and depression. The intensity of psychological distress is closely tied to the duration and scope of these disruptions; the longer and more comprehensive a shutdown is, the deeper the anxiety, confusion, and despair it inflicts on people. This heightened stress and anxiety can then in turn drive people to desperate measures, such as venturing through areas under attack to catch connectivity signals, locate loved ones, or obtain information. S., TEACHER, GAZA CITY, GAZA / Z., DOCTOR, KHARTOUM, SUDAN / SHUTDOWN STARTED: NOVEMBER 16 SHUTDOWN STARTED: FEBRUARY 7, 2023 2024 “Shutdowns were the other face of the war on Gaza; no less ferocious than the bombing and destruction. I will never forget when I heard on local radio that a house bearing my family’s name was bombed. Who can bear having no news about their family who are far away, at a time when going out in the streets is impossible? “I lost contact with all my family members who are in militia-controlled areas. I take sedatives just to be able to sleep.” I wanted to check on them but my husband stopped me because of the bombing and the danger of traveling long distances alone in those circumstances. It was a heart-wrenching night as the internet and telecommunications were shut down…The pain was excruciating: did the bombing target my family’s house? Are they okay? In the morning, when I went to my family’s house despite the bombing and destruction, I found that my family’s house was indeed destroyed. My brother was martyred and my sister injured, while the rest of the family miraculously survived.” A. A.Y.O, Y.O, PHARMACIST, UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, SUDAN / SHUTDOWN STARTED: FEBRUARY 5, 2024 “My elderly father, who has chronic illnesses, was traveling alone from an RSF-occupied area to a safe state, in order to complete visa procedures. Due to the blackout, we couldn’t complete the visa process or contact him. It has been five days, and we have no news. His ticket for February 9 has been lost. He has no money, no companion, and no knowledge of where he is. We can’t even send him funds via Bankak. I am devastated and unable to eat, sleep, or do anything.” 3. ECONOMIC OR FINANCIAL HARMS Internet shutdowns directly impact people’s work and livelihoods during both war and peacetime; individuals may lose out on work, income, or access to money, while communities suffer broader and longer-lasting economic impacts. But the financial or economic harms caused by conflict-related