By Frank Schott, Former Vice President of Global Programs, NetHope In 2016, Google Germany and NetHope started Project Reconnect, an initiative to provide refugees access to online education and information. Today we reflect and (re)connect with some of the organizations whose initiatives were supported with Chromebooks sponsored by Google.org. Note: the German translation of this … Continued
In 2000, the UN General Assembly officially adopted June 20 as World Refugee Day (WRD) with its official public launch held the following June 2001. The day has never been more relevant with, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an estimated 70.8 million people displaced around the world from conflict, natural disasters, … Continued
Above: Setting up connectivity in the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian in September 2019. Photo by Ivo Belohoubek. Disasters, just by their very nature, often take place with little to no warning. While this may be true, not only individuals but organizations can properly prepare for “the worst.” For NetHope and its nonprofit members, tech partners, … Continued
The Syrian refugee crisis, despite being out of the media spotlight, has lasting effects. As one of NetHope’s longest lasting projects, we have provided connectivity in the Greek-based refugee settlements for the last four years, funded through our various partners and, for the last 10 months, by a special grant provided by the International Office … Continued
We know the incredible positive impact connectivity has on those directly affected by disaster and displacement. The stories of reconnection with family and friends, finding essential needs such as food and shelter, opportunities for employment, training, and education, and even the simple yet necessary need for entertainment and cultural connection, are important qualitative and quantifiable … Continued
Above: The International Organization for Migration has provided funding to continue the vital connectivity NetHope has set up for Syrian refugees living in settlements in Greece. As with most crises, once the immediate emergency is highlighted, the attention often is refocused elsewhere. But this doesn’t mean that the crisis is over. Such is the situation … Continued
Conflict-affected youth in Lebanon interacting with and testing Hakeem chatbot in September 2018 (Photo credit: NRC)This month, governments, humanitarian organizations, the private sector, and civil society are convening in New York City for the 73rd United Nations General Assembly. One of the pressing topics on the agenda is how to accelerate and expand efforts to deliver education … Continued
Above: Rami Shakra (far right), NetHope's Global Programs Director, Field Operations visits with a beneficiary family in Greece.NetHope and its network of 57 global nonprofit members and more than 60 tech partners respond to dire humanitarian crises around the world. During this year’s World Humanitarian Day (August 19), we continue to recognize the millions of … Continued
We all know that cellphones and the internet have revolutionized how we all perform our work and daily lives. But access to phones is also transforming the lives of refugees escaping war zones and persecution in Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the Middle East.As the numbers of refugees entering Greece and the Balkan … Continued
Defined Without Borders and Adobe's Project 1324 Challenge Give Voice to Conflict-Affected Youth Being a teenager is a time of exciting new experiences, a time for exploration of new ideas, developing paths for creativity, and finding one’s place and purpose in the larger world.But for millions of youth around the world, that time is defined by … Continued