The non-profit organisation Tech For Refugees has announced a three-year commitment to support the International Rescue Committee’s (IRC’s) humanitarian efforts. The donation will broaden the reach of the IRC’s Signpost, a technology-enabled “Helpdesk” that delivers critical information to refugees.
Tech For Refugees partners with leading technology organisations to provide vital aid to refugees in times of crisis. The initiative receives funding from Julia and Yuri Milner’s philanthropic organisation the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. The couple established the Foundation after making their Giving Pledge to dedicate more than half of their wealth to charitable causes in 2012.
Tech For Refugees Provides Relief to Displaced People
Over 100 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide, with nearly 340 million anticipated to require humanitarian aid in 2023.
Giving Pledge signatory Yuri Milner has always been conscious of the plight of refugees, and the war in Ukraine has affected him deeply. In April 2022, his Breakthrough Prize Foundation committed $100 million to a new initiative: Tech For Refugees.
Over the past year, Tech For Refugees has assisted hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. The organisation has also extended its efforts to Pakistan and the Horn of Africa.
The initiative partners with leading tech providers to leverage world-class platforms, networks, technologies, and resources. Together, these partnerships deliver food, shelter, medical aid, and life-enriching support.
Current partners include Airbnb.org, Flexport.org, Spotify, and Welcome.US. The initiative is seeking new collaborations to increase the diversity and scope of its global operations.
How Signpost Supports Refugees in Crisis
The IRC’s Signpost platform is the world’s first scalable, community-led programme that delivers critical information in times of crisis. Signpost acts as a technology-enabled “HelpDesk.” The platform offers information and support to refugees and people displaced by conflict and disasters as they navigate crises.
There are four key barriers to effective information distribution in the aid sector: poor quality, poor coordination, low prioritisation, and lack of trust. Signpost addresses these issues through a portfolio of digital products tailored to each crisis-affected population.
Up-to-date articles, infographics, and videos provide crucial information on relevant topics. One-to-one message support is also available when required. Plus, Signpost users can access a map of services local to the user, from health clinics to temporary shelter accommodation.
Signpost has helped over five million people make life-saving decisions across the world. Furthermore, the platform has supported 36 million people with its information products. These individuals reside in countries like Ukraine, Colombia, Greece, Iraq, Kenya, the U.S., Pakistan, Burundi, and Tanzania.
“The support from Tech For Refugees and the Breakthrough Prize Foundation over the next three years will bring essential information resources to millions more displaced people globally,” said David Miliband, president and CEO of the IRC.
The three-year commitment should accelerate the adoption of Signpost in 10 locations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and the Americas.
Innovation Is Key, Says Giving Pledge Signatory Yuri Milner
“The scale of today’s refugee crisis requires innovative ideas,” said Giving Pledge signatory Yuri Milner. “Tech For Refugees is honoured to collaborate with the IRC to bring sophisticated technological tools that can support millions of people as they try to rebuild their lives.”
Miliband agreed: “The humanitarian crisis we are addressing is at record levels, so we need to work in new ways. This timely infusion of funding will help set new standards for information and support for people seeking safety.”
Find out more about the role of technology in supporting refugees.