Thanks to Free Basics by Facebook, refugees and displaced persons who have been separated from their families can now register, search and communicate through REFUNITE in a total of fourteen countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Going live in Malawi and the Republic of the Congo with Free Basics by Facebook
REFUNITE is excited to announce the launch of its family reconnection service through Free Basics by Facebook in two additional countries: Malawi and the Republic of the Congo. Thanks to Free Basics by Facebook, REFUNITE’s family reconnection platform can now be accessed for free in fourteen countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Through Free Basics, refugees and displaced persons who have been separated from their families can now register, search and communicate through REFUNITE at no cost in Malawi and the Republic of the Congo too. Both Malawi and the Republic of the Congo are home to an unprecedented number of refugees and asylum seekers who can now benefit from family tracing and reconnection services:
- As of the December 2015, according to UNHCR figures, Malawi had a total population of concern of 23,489 people. This included 9,019 refugees and 14,470 asylum seekers.
- In the Republic of the Congo, the number amounted to 52,152 people, the majority of whom were refugees (44,955).
Launched in 2015, REFUNITE’s collaboration with Facebook plays an essential role in reaching and connecting some of the world’s most disconnected people and providing free access to what is deemed to be essential information. Through Free Basics, refugees and displaced persons who have been separated from their families can now register, search and communicate through REFUNITE at no cost.
Today, with over 65.3 million displaced persons globally, REFUNITE’s key partnership with Facebook has the potential to reach a significant number of people who are looking for their missing relatives and loved ones. This creates new possibilities for the most disconnected populations to connect, and democratizes access to not only life-saving but also life-changing information.
23rd September, 2016.
