Select a language for this section:
BUDAPEST – UNHCR Representation for Central Europe is launching its innovative “Safe Online” campaign in Hungary. The campaign is raising awareness among Ukrainian refugees about the risks they might encounter online and equipping them with practical tools to protect themselves. In an increasingly interconnected world, the campaign highlights the importance of digital safety for vulnerable populations and promotes safer online behaviour.
Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, more than 53,000 refugees from Ukraine have been recorded in Hungary. To connect refugees in need of vital information with offers of humanitarian support, there has been a rapid scale-up of online initiatives such as websites and social media groups. While this was a positive sign of solidarity, it also presented clear protection risks to the forcibly displaced population. Indeed, UNHCR Hungary has gathered information on recurring misuse of online platforms, leading to a rapid growth in ICT-facilitated exploitations, including online violence, harassment, identity theft, financial scams, and risk of trafficking.
As a response to these threats, UNHCR Hungary launched the “Safe Online” campaign, highlighting the specific risks refugees are facing in the digital world and offering practical guides to protect against them. The campaign combines educational content designed specifically for refugees, with paid advertisements on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to reach a wide audience of both adults and youth.
“The online safety of people fleeing Ukraine stood out as a concern early on in the crisis. Throughout our ongoing dialogue with displaced populations, we consistently encountered reports of various harmful online activities. While UNHCR has been active on-the-ground to protect refugees since the first days of the conflict, the introduction of the Safe Online initiative represents a significant step towards safeguarding refugees in the digital world as well. Through the educational materials that were developed in collaboration with the affected individuals, this campaign aims at building a more secure online environment for refugees, with a particular focus on protecting vulnerable children and women from online threats,” said Muriel Tschopp, Representative of UNHCR Representation for Central Europe.
Simultaneously to the online campaign, UNHCR is also releasing two educational booklets with the professional support of the Internet Hotline online advisory and help service of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) of Hungary. The booklets were designed specifically for displaced adults and youth, presenting online threats and protection strategies through real-life examples. More than 4,000 copies are being distributed through 19 partner organizations, including NGOs, community centres, and educational institutions.
BACKGROUND:
The “Safe Online” campaign is a result of the Wise Browsing, Safe Posting initiative, launched in Hungary as part of the UNHCR Digital Inclusion Fund in August 2022. The project addresses digital safety concerns for vulnerable Ukrainian refugees, particularly women and children, and equips them with tools, resources, and trainings to safeguard them against prevalent online risks. UNCHR also launched a similar digital safety campaign across Europe this summer. In line with UNHCR’s Digital Transformation Strategy, the Safe Online campaign contributes to our global commitment of addressing the escalating digital threats to the safety of refugees.
For further information, please, contact:
Erno Simon – E-mail: [email protected], Mobile: +36 30 657 03 23
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter