How tech companies are committing to helping the global refugee crisis

More than 50 companies signed the White House's pledge to help the global refugee crisis.
 By 
Emma Hinchliffe
 on 
How tech companies are committing to helping the global refugee crisis
A girl holds a cat travelling with a migrant family from war-torn Syria to Europe. Credit: andrej isakovic/AFP/Getty Images

More than 50 companies promised the White House they would take specific steps to contribute to the end of the refugee crisis in a pledge released Tuesday.

The White House launched a call to action asking private sector companies to help with the global crisis in June. At the time, 15 companies signed on.

The White House released its full list of signees Tuesday, along with the steps they would take to help refugees worldwide:


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Airbnb promised it would help Airbnb hosts invite refugees into their homes as a backup to long-term housing.

Coursera, the online learning platform, said it would continue its project Coursera for Refugees to help refugees gain access to Coursera classes and secure financial aid.

Facebook promised to bring Wi-Fi connectivity to 35 locations in Greece, a first point of landing for many refugees, as well as to refugee camps in other places.

Google said it would commit funding to primary school education for child refugees in Lebanon.

HP promised to bring education technology to six places where it could reach refugees throughout Lebanon and Jordan.

LinkedIn said it would expand its refugee recruitment program, Welcoming Talent, beyond its initial launch in Sweden.

Microsoft said it would expand partnerships with the United Nations and NGOs to expand Arabic-to-German language education, support counseling programs and provide technological education to refugees.

Twitter promised $50,000 in advertising grants to NGOs that help refugees.

And Uber said it would help refugees find employment as Uber drivers and help them lease cars.

Plenty of other companies promised to donate money, commission research and hire refugees, among other commitments.

The White House says these private sector contributions come to $650 million going toward the refugee crisis.

Worldwide, 21 million people are considered refugees, the White House said in June.

The release of the private sector pledge coincided with the Leaders' Summit on Refugees hosted by President Obama at the United Nations on Tuesday.

Obama, in his initial call to action, asked the private sector to "draw on its unique expertise, resources and entrepreneurial spirit to help refugees regain control over their lives and integrate into their new communities."

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Emma Hinchliffe

Emma Hinchliffe is a business reporter at Mashable. Before joining Mashable, she covered business and metro news at the Houston Chronicle.

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