UMSI Master's Thesis: Is There Wi-Fi?: Examining Wi-Fi Accessibility and Usage in Greek and Serbian Refugee Camps

Abstract

The UNHCR and International NGOs began to take notice of the needs for connectivity of migrant people in 2015. The literature on mobile usage and connectivity in refugee camps indicates these needs as phones and apps are used to build communities, exchange information, and feel secure in their changing and unfamiliar environments. However, the literature also highlights the barriers to data and mobile devices. This study will confirm the demand for connectivity among refugee camp populations by comparing the proportions of Wi-Fi connected devices to the proportions of adults living in refugee camps. Furthermore, this study will analyze the network infrastructure of several refugee camps to make recommendations to fulfill hardware needs, improve network planning efforts, and improve refugee camp planning efforts. Lastly, this study examines the types of devices used by refugee camp inhabitants.