RMMS 4mi project

While the priority is to identify market-based solutions, UNHCR recognizes that there are groups of extremely vulnerable refugees who could not afford connectivity no matter how low the market price.  To  support  these  groups,  UNHCR  would  explore  targeted  subsidies,  as  discussed  in  the  Strategic  Interventions  section.  Despite  the  need  for  some  level  of  subsidy,  UNHCR  believes  that  sustainability can be achieved through:1. A market-based approach in most interventions, which will incentivize long-term private sector interest.2. An  increase  in  refugee  and  host  purchasing  power  from  additional  livelihood  opportunities  created through connectivity.3. Downward trends in the cost of devices and services, thus increasing refugees’ ability to afford connectivity over time

Data from the RMMS 4mi project shows that 9% of over 1,300 migrants and refugees from Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea and Djibouti indicated that social media led them to believe that there would be better opportunities in their intended destination country, although friends and family (26%) are still a more important source of information (although they could still use social media to communicate with friends and family).48 Migrants and refugees from Ethiopia and Somalia (12% and 9%) respectively, seem to rely more on social media than migrants and refugees from Eritrea (5%)