MICROFINANCE PAPER WRAP-UP: “The Digital Lives of Refugees: How Displaced Populations Use Mobile Phones and What Gets in the Way,” Published by GSMA

This is a summary of a paper published by the Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA), July 2019, 87 pages, available at https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/The-Digital-Lives-of-Refugees.pdf

Mobile technology in general, as well as mobile network operators in particular, are becoming increasingly important to the delivery of aid to populations in crisis. This report addresses the access to, use of, and barriers to mobile technology among refugee populations.

The authors conducted 3,000 face-to-face and telephone interviews as well 55 focus group discussions with refugees from Jordan, Rwanda and Uganda, generating findings within the areas of mobile financial services, mobile-enabled utilities, digital identity, food security, climate change, and gender and inclusivity.

Over two thirds of the refugees interviewed are active mobile phone users. Some own their own handsets, others borrow handsets and some use multiple SIM cards. Despite the differences in how refugees access mobile phones, the main reason for their usage is to access mobile money. While usage is high, issues such as affordability, literacy and digital skills persist as barriers to access.

GSMA suggests humanitarian organizations employ a “multi-pronged” approach, not only focusing on affordability, but also on increasing digital literacy, enhancing charging options and upgrading mobile coverage. Because mobile money is a large portion of phone usage, the authors also suggest that humanitarian organizations spend more time addressing issues that prevent refugees from utilizing such services, such as lack of identification documents, security concerns, tax rates and other context-specific challenges.

Many refugees are unable to access mobile services due to a lack of electricity. While some have solar home systems, this technology is not widespread. To combat the issue, the authors suggest humanitarian organizations and energy service providers provide pay-as-you-go solutions for funding solar energy.

Another barrier to access is the lower rates of mobile phone ownership among female refugees and those with disabilities, which are exacerbated by a lack of livelihood opportunities. To bridge these gaps, GSMA suggests ensuring data in refugee contexts be disaggregated by gender and disability; reviewing mobile phone accessibility features; providing sensitivity training for staff of humanitarian organizations; and assessing systemic factors, cultural issues and underlying political challenges that affect access for these groups.

Refugees often cannot register for mobile phone services because they lack identity documents that are recognized in their host country. While digital identification systems can help with this, some refugees refuse to use them due to privacy concerns. This can be addressed by policymakers creating clear guidelines on what identification is needed for mobile service access, humanitarian organizations educating refugees on how to protect their digital data, and governments creating data protection and privacy frameworks.

By Anna Gravois, Research Associate

Sources and Additional Resources

GSMA report
https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/The-Digital-Lives-of-Refugees.pdf

GSMA homepage
https://www.gsma.c om

Sample case on mobile money for refugees in Uganda
https://www.microcapital.org/special-report-15k-refugees-in-uganda-receive-assistance-via-airtel-mobile-money-cutting-delivery-costs-by-47-boosting-speed-by-42-reducing-money-truck-problems-uncdf-reports-at/

Did you know that MicroCapital publishes the MicroCapital Monitor newspaper each month? Find out more at http://www.microcapital.org/products-page/.