Next-generation digital solutions for Asia’s forgotten refugee crisis

Next-generation digital solutions for Asia’s forgotten refugee crisis

Refugee- and displaced-person–hosting areas
in Thailand and Bangladesh

■ Common challenges
In 2025, the number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) worldwide will reach approximately 120 million, doubling over the past decade. As refugee situations become protracted, from 2025 onward, major cuts in U.S. foreign aid and reductions in other countries’ ODA are putting millions of lives and livelihoods at serious risk across the world.

Against this backdrop, the refugee and displacement situations in Thailand and Bangladesh—among the largest in Asia—are reaching a critical juncture as “Forgotten Humanitarian Crises.” In Thailand, about 100,000 ethnic minorities from Myanmar live in refugee camps; in addition, following the 2021 political upheaval, more than 4.2 million Myanmar nationals are staying in Thailand as migrants. In Bangladesh, approximately 1.17 million Rohingya who fled persecution in Myanmar are forced to live in displacement. Furthermore, with substantial reductions in external assistance from 2025 onward, common challenges are becoming evident, including declining quality in education, health, justice, and administrative services, as well as vulnerable communications infrastructure.

Under these circumstances, Thailand is shifting policies to view refugees not as a “burden” but as “potential labor,” advancing the regularization of off-camp employment for registered refugees. In Bangladesh, as the importance of economic self-reliance among displaced populations grows beyond humanitarian assistance, efforts are being made to revitalize economic activity within camps.
To address these challenges, JICA will act as a facilitator, promoting collaboration among government, Japanese and local companies, aid agencies, academic institutions, and NGOs, aiming to build innovative collaboration models leveraging digital technologies. These are expected to contribute to sustainable solutions to refugee issues while also becoming sustainable models that create new markets for companies.

Examples of DX technologies that could be introduced include the following. Rather than mere digitalization, platformization using cloud services where feasible and the use of AI technologies are expected. In regions with fragile communications infrastructure, applying decentralized network system technologies or presenting models that combine both approaches would be useful.

Examples of anticipated challenges are as follows; however, these are not exhaustive.

• Education: basic education; non-formal and adult education; host-country language; IT skills; teacher training; online business skills
• Social services: healthcare systems and capabilities; access to justice; access to financial services, etc.
• Market access: cross-border e-commerce (EC), etc.
• Promotion of refugee employment by Japanese and local companies inside and outside refugee/IDP camps: job postings; procedural guides, etc.

1. Confirm the feasibility, viability, and acceptability of introducing digital technologies, and assess the effectiveness of deploying digital infrastructure, including decentralized network systems.
2. Confirm market needs and the needs of refugee and IDP communities, verify the potential for collaboration with relevant local institutions, and assess the feasibility of realizing a sustainable business.

Note: We also accept pilots other than those envisioned above, as long as they contribute to solving the stated challenges.

EdTech (education, literacy, language, vocational skills) Note: JobTech (matching, HR tech)
MedTech / LegalTech (remote consultation and mediation)
EC (cross-border sales)
Telecommunications (decentralized networks)
Fintech (financial services)

Additionally, experience driving technological innovation leveraging AI, cloud services, platform development, and big data (among others).

Note: We also accept track records and expertise beyond the above if they contribute to solving the stated challenges.

Utilization and coordination of networks with government, international organizations/NGOs, and related entities (including local companies, Japanese companies, chambers of commerce, and JETRO); access to the field (support for permit applications to conduct activities inside camps through these networks); and scaling up through linkage with or use of relevant JICA schemes.

Aich(on-site pitch)・Fukuoka(on-site pitch)