With organizations such as the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Microsoft helps develop innovative technology solutions to support humanitarian assistance efforts and save lives.
proGres is a standardized system for refugee registration that currently operates in more than 300 camps and 75 countries. It has provided assistance to nearly 5 million refugees.
The goal of the initiative is to enhance the self-reliance and employability of refugees through access to education and vocational training through technology.
Ninemillion.org is a campaign aimed at giving more than nine million refugee children worldwide better access to education, sport and technology.
proGres is a standardized system for refugee registration that currently operates in more than 300 camps and 72 countries. It has provided assistance to nearly 5 million refugees.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) leads and co-ordinates international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide.
As part of Microsoft’s partnership with UNHCR, we are a founding member of UNHCR’s Council of Business Leaders; members include Microsoft, Nike, PricewaterhouseCoopers, WPP and Merck.
Bill Hilf, Microsoft’s UNHCR Council of Business Leaders representative, discusses Microsoft’s partnership with the UNHCR and several of the programs that have been jointly implemented across UNHCR refugee camps.
Microsoft employee and former Bosnian refugee Leila Toplic visits the UNHCR’s Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya and discusses her experiences as a refugee and now giving back to the UN’s Refugee Agency.
Bill Hilf, Microsoft’s UNHCR Council of Business Leaders representative, shows how the Community Technology Access program can help improve refugee’s education and livelihoods through providing access to information and communication technology.
The registration system currently used by UNHCR is called ProGres and was developed with initial support from Microsoft. The system operates in over 300 refugee camps across 72 countries today, including 32 in Africa.
The UNHCR assists over 30 million refugees in more than 100 countries and looks for partnerships with the private sector to provide expertise in areas such as information technology to assist in the support of refugees under the care of the UN agency.
CNBC Africa’s Regional Roundup profiles Microsoft’s commitment as a long term partner with UNHC and the role the Microsoft based ProGres software solution plays in helping both UNHCR and governments manage refugee situations.
