Our Latest Articles
Empowering refugees and internally displaced persons through digital identity
This World Refugee Day, Nicholas Oakeshott (UNHCR), Jonathan Marskell (World Bank), Emily Weedon Chapman (World Bank), and Marie Benihirwe (UNHCR) reflect on the promising opportunities that a digital identity would offer to refugees.
Open for business: UNHCR brings connectivity to Monga
Bats, two-hour motorcycle rides, and river-crossings by pirogue – when it comes to getting remote field offices connected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, UNHCR’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) team take it all in their stride.
PRIMES Real Time Data – Uganda Update
The Government of Uganda and UNHCR undertook a complete countrywide biometric refugee verification exercise.
Blockchain Beyond the Hype
The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently published in its “White Paper” series, a “common sense and practical framework” designed to assist in understanding whether blockchain is an appropriate and helpful tool for business needs.
New standards for the digital world?
A study by the University of Zurich (Switzerland) suggests that IT development should not only based on a “business case” but also on an “ethics case”. Research Group Leader Markus Christen explained this concept to the Swiss online magazin “Computerworld”.
Data protection is part and parcel of refugee protection
At a time when new data protection rules come into force in Europe, Alexander Beck, UNHCR Senior Data Protection Officer, answers question on privacy rights and data protection for refugees.
The desert where you call the ambulance by WhatsApp
Internet connectivity can make a huge difference to relief activities and the lives of refugees. For the men, women and children of Sayam Forage camp in Niger, who fled Boko Haram’s violence in Nigeria, the camp is now an oasis of hope surrounded by harsh, unforgiving desert.
Internet connectivity and mobile phones good for refugee businesses
Read Esperanza’s story to learn more on how a good internet connectivity and wide spread use of mobile phones in Kakuma refugee camp (Kenya) have opened up business opportunities for refugees.
re:publica 2018 – (Digital) Identity: The Haves and Have-Nots
Discussion on identity and digital inclusion with Karl Steinacker, Team Leader for Digital Identity with UNHCR and Valerie Khan, Independent Advisor on Digital Identity, that took place on 4 May 2018 at the #rp18 conference in Berlin.
Blockchain for Refugees: Great Hopes, Deep Concerns
Article published on the website of Bosphorus Migration Studies, which is an independent “think-together tank” based in Turkey.
3 Ways to Move From Hype to Practice in Digital Development
Article by Nora Lindström on blockchain first published by ICTworks.
Beware the Notion That Better Data Lead to Better Outcomes for Refugees and Migrants
OpEd on the need for better data by Dr Jeff Crisp published by Chatham House. Views expressed in the article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of UNHCR.