Innovation in Action – Part 1: Tools that empower

Maney and Kaku are bestfriends from Kakuma refugee camp. They are in grade 8 and use INS tablets to better their learning experience

Dear John,

Imagine arriving in a new place without knowing where to turn for help or how to access critical services. For many forcibly displaced people, uncertainty is overwhelming.

UNHCR’s Help Sites and Digital Gateway address this uncertainty by giving refugees and displaced people access to essential information and support in a more accessible and organized way.

Our platforms provide up-to-date guidance on legal rights, education, healthcare, and other vital services, and leads people in need to safe and accessible services when and where is more convenient for them.

We have been evolving how we deliver support so refugees can access protection, essential services, and the tools they need to move forward with their lives.

Person navigating in Help Site through a Smartphone

Our Help Sites offer comprehensive, reliable information tailored specifically for refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless people in over 140 countries and territories.

Accessible in multiple languages and mobile-friendly, they are designed to guide users step-by-step through topics like legal rights, education, healthcare, and financial assistance, access to UNHCR’s communication channels and to lead users to services available to them, including the digital gateway.

In 2024 alone, the Help Sites received over 13 million visits from people worldwide searching for answers and support. This platform offers clarity and hope, providing trusted, timely information when it matters most.

The Digital Gateway is an online self-service tool that helps displaced people find personalized information and services. It supports tasks like booking appointments, renewing their documents, and managing their details. Since its launch, over 370.000 people have accessed the platform.

In Egypt, thousands of Sudanese displaced people have used it to register with UNHCR and book appointments online, avoiding long waits and costly trips. Among the users, 91% found the portal clear and understandable, and 84% indicated that it is easy to use.

Learn More about the Digital Gateway

As humanitarian funding shrinks and refugee camps close, tools like the Digital Gateway and Help Sites are becoming essential, helping people navigate complex transitions with more autonomy and dignity. With your support, we can keep deploying and supporting our digital tools to reach displaced people quickly and affordably.

Donate Now

Our colleagues in the field are working with dedication to help refugees and asylum seekers to use these digital tools confidently and independently.

Every contribution helps UNHCR invest in digital solutions like the Digital Gateway and Help Site, reaching more people with the right support at the right time.

Thank you for standing with us as we build a more connected, compassionate world.

Monia Hassan
UNHCR Supporter Team

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