The Digital Lives of Refugees

The Digital Lives of Refugees

Report & Guidance
2026-01-05
How displaced populations use mobile phones and what gets in the way
National Digital Investments

Introduction

The GSMA, in partnership with UNHCR, conducted research in three humanitarian contexts (urban settings in Jordan, Kiziba camp, Rwanda and Bidi Bidi settlement, Uganda) hosting large refugee populations, to provide crucial data and evidence to help MNOs and humanitarian organisations design and build inclusive digital interventions.
A range of methodological approaches were employed, including nearly 3,000 survey interviews and 55 focus group discussions.

The Digital Lives of Refugees

The Digital Lives of Refugees

Our new research, produced with UNHCR, looks at the ways in which refugees are using mobile phones to help guide digital interventions by humanitarian organisations and mobile network operators.
The research identifies key trends and insights from Bidi Bidi settlement (Uganda), Kiziba camp (Rwanda) and urban settings in Jordan.

See Accompanying Materials

Read full blog on GSMA Watch case study video