For forced migrants, smartphones are key to their survival

The smartphone seemingly is part of every American’s life.  It also is an extremely useful device for migrants and refugees.  

Tech Crunch report that “smartphones today have become an integral part of a forced migrant’s journey. From navigating mountains in Central Asia using Google Maps to staying connected with family back home via WhatsApp, smartphones have transformed the migrant experience – though not always for the better. In Eastern Europe, many migrants pushed back from Hungary stay along the border on the Serbian side in abandoned buildings. Volunteers visit these sites to bring supplies, including repurposed car batteries that migrants use to charge their phones.”

KJ