The digital lives of refugees: what’s next?

Refugees in Jordan are incredibly connected. The majority own a phone and over 70% own a smart phone. At UNHCR we believe that displaced populations have the right to be included in a well-connected society and have access to technology that enables them to build better futures for themselves, and their families. But how can we ensure that digital revolution transforming the world does not leave refugees behind?

In 2013, UNHCR Jordan was the first UNHCR operation in the world to introduce iris-scanning biometrics to register refugees.  UNHCR’s biometric data has been used as the gateway for up to 25 different partners under the umbrella of the Common Cash Facility (CCF) to distribute monthly social transfers (cash assistance) to vulnerable refugees through bank ATMs without the need for cards or PINs.

Fast forward six years, Jordan today hosts 745,000 registered refugees from 57 different nationalities and has the second highest share of refugees in the world compared to its population.

But what’s next when it comes to finding digital solutions for challenges faced by refugees?

Mobile wallets offer great opportunities for un-banked refugees and Jordanians.  Refugees are not allowed to open bank accounts, but mobile wallets allow them to budget, save money and make payments wherever they might be.

For the past two years, UNHCR has been giving 600 refugee students grants through a mobile money e-wallets to study at Jordan’s universities. For students like Shahim, ‘being able to get the financial resources needed to study medicine at Al Hashmiyah University has changed my life, fulfilled my dreams and allowed me to be a responsible person in my society. I never thought that a refugee from Hamah – Syria, would have any dreams or hopes after the war, but now everything seems to be possible and I can dream again. I will use my knowledge and education to help others as much as I can”.

Digital financial services are expanding under the support of the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) and other government and private entities.  At a recent event hosted by UNHCR and GSMA (Global System for Mobile Association), the Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Mothanna Gharaibeh stressed that the government is committed to increase the transparency and efficiency of payments for public services by using digital platforms such as mobile wallets.

But although Jordan’s regulatory environment is encouraging the growth of mobile money, mobile money is still nascent with only 1% of the adult population holding a mobile money account.

Jordan’s humanitarian partners have a role to play in expanding the use of digital wallets.  UNHCR plans to expand its options for transferring cash assistance to vulnerable refugees by using mobile wallets as well as ATM networks.   To ensure the accuracy and safety of the transactions, UNHCR will continue to use iris authentication (iris scanning) before money is transferred into the wallet.

GSMA research notes a significant gender divide in mobile phone ownership – women in Jordan are 21% less likely than men to own a phone.  New services should take into account Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, access, and costs for transfers to make sure that the digitalization of services does not exacerbate high levels of poverty and gender imbalance among refugees.

While the Government moves towards digitalization, it must ensure that the most vulnerable are not left behind.  As the Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Mothanna Gharaibeh, stated “With the right partnerships, the right service providers and collaboration, we can create an ecosystem in which all, including refugees, can participate within the digital economy.”

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