Jul 25 16
Free Basics User Journey
This is the third of a three-part blog series by REFUNITE’s Middle East Project Manager, reflecting on her findings from a research trip to Iraq (see part 1 and part 2). This post focuses on testing Free Basics, REFUNITE’s collaboration with Facebook’s zero-rated internet platform.
Jul 20 16
REFUNITE team completes Human-Centered Design Course
Designing how REFUNITE might implement Interactive Voice Recording technologies to improve our service for illiterate Somalis in Kenya. For the last two months, REFUNITE’s user acquisition and growth team has been brushing up on an important skill. We formed a team and joined thousands of people around the world for “Design Kit: The Course for Human-Centered Design”, an online course by +ACUMEN and IDEO. Over 7 weeks, the course led us through three different phases: inspiration, ideation and implementation – to tackle social problems. In the initial inspiration phase, we thought about where in society, specifically within our current audience…
Jul 15 16
REFUNITE shares expertise at European Social Innovation Academy 2016
The European Commission’s Social Innovation Competition 2016, ‘Integrated Futures’, focuses on innovative solutions for refugees and brings together social entrepreneurs, changemakers and technologists from different European countries. REFUNITE has been selected as a Jury member, alongside organizations, such as The United Nations Refugee Agency and TechFugees.
Jul 15 16
Cannes Lions 2016: #IMmigrant shortlisted
Between 19-21 June 2016, the #IMmigrant campaign, initiated by advertising agency LDC and REFUNITE, received three nominations at Cannes Lions, in the Direct category and the Cyber category. Although we didn’t come home with Lions in our pockets, we are proud of the campaign’s success and the growing visibility it sparked on the migration stories we all share. In December 2015 advertising agency LDC and REFUNITE launched the #IMmigrant campaign to spread the word: We are all migrants. In less than a month, over 70,000 #IMmigrant images were created from more than 200 different countries. Football player Neymar…
Jul 14 16
Closing Dadaab: How might technology help?
Inspired by the different ways technology can be used to help refugees globally, REFUNITE and independent think tank Samuel Hall initiated a forum focusing on innovation in a humanitarian context. Closing Dadaab: How might technology help? The inaugural event on “Technology & Innovation for Supporting Refugees” took place on Thursday, June 23, 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya with the purpose of exploring the possible scenarios that may take place if Dadaab refugee camp closes. Established in 1991, Dadaab is currently the world’s largest refugee camp and (unofficially) Kenya’s third largest city. From to beginning of the Somali…
Jul 14 16
REFUNITE FAMILY GROWS: Welcoming Alex, Gideon, and Giulia!
Halfway through 2016 and REFUNITE has three new faces to introduce to you! Over the last few months Alex, Gideon, and Giulia have joined the REFUNITE Team in Nairobi. Let’s welcome them on board and get to know them. ALEX BRONER – Product Manager As Product Manager, Alex leads the research, conceptualization, prototyping, product and cross-functional team management of REFUNITE’s mobile services. As UX lead, she also manages survey, experiment and prototype development across REFUNITE. As a data analyst, Alex designed company-wide KPIs and is responsible for oversight of data quality assurance, data investigations, research training, and multivariate analysis…
Jun 20 16
500,000 refugees searching for missing family
500,000 refugees searching for missing family In honor of World Refugee Day, the founders of REFUNITE, brothers and social entrepreneurs David and Christopher Mikkelsen, reflect on the journey of the organization and its partners, which have brought REFUNITE to help more than 500,000 people in their search for missing family. Ten years ago, when refugees became separated from their loved ones, the only way to try and find them, often across vast distances, was through a pen-and-paper tracing system, which failed to create data repositories that could be cross-referenced across countries, camps and organizations. The result was that few…
Jun 14 16
Stories of Separation in Iraq
This is the second part of a three-part blog series by REFUNITE’s Middle East Project Manager, reflecting on her findings from a recent trip to Iraq. This post focuses on missing relatives.
Jun 14 16
Fleeing From War, Congolese Best Friends Find Each Other in Kenya
Fleeing From War, Congolese Best Friends Find Each Other in Kenya The story below was recalled by Congolese refugee David*, with some added detail from his friend, Joel*. All details and events described are accurate to the best of their recollection.
May 10 16
Live in Nigeria: REFUNITE launches with Free Basics by Facebook
Live in Nigeria: REFUNITE Launches with Free Basics by Facebook 10th May, 2016 – REFUNITE launched our family reconnection service in Nigeria in partnership with Free Basics by Facebook and Airtel Nigeria. Now, the over 1.5 million displaced people in Nigeria can search and reconnect with their missing family. Airtel Nigeria subscribers can access REFUNITE’s platform for free through www.freebasics.com on their phone.
Hundreds of families are reconnected
through our work every month, often after years of searching for their missing loved ones.
Any donation will help separated families reconnect.
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