The role of ICTs in refugee lives

Abstract

Given that the number of refugees and displaced populations around the world is reaching calamitous proportions and given the high penetration of mobile phones and internet among refugee populations, there is an imperative need to understand the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in serving their information needs. Using five key themes from ICTD research - digital divide, social inclusion and community development, economic well-being and financial inclusion, education, and health, this poster provides an in-depth literature review of the nascent ICT for Refugees research field. We then discuss the gaps identified in existing research, provide some future research questions for the field and conclude that future lies in the interdisciplinary and collaborative interaction between researchers, policy makers and refugees themselves.