Welcome.US is a national initiative that inspires U.S. citizens to take part in the country’s resettlement system by sponsoring refugees. It’s also a partner of Tech For Refugees, Yuri Milner’s humanitarian initiative to address the world’s refugee crisis. Other notable Tech For Refugees partners include Airbnb.org, Flexport.org, Spotify, and UNICEF USA.
Initially teaming up two years ago, Welcome.US and Tech For Refugees recently expanded their collaboration to support more sponsors and newcomers. Nazanin Ash, the CEO of Welcome.US, says the partnership is powering “a transformative solution to the global refugee crisis.”
Welcoming Newcomers to the U.S.
Active since 2021, Welcome.US has encouraged U.S. citizens in every state to file more than 300,000 sponsorship applications. The initiative offers various pathways for people to welcome newcomers, including through its platform Welcome Connect.
This first-of-its-kind sponsorship platform provides a safe, streamlined way for sponsors to connect with beneficiaries. Initially, the platform connected sponsors with Ukrainians seeking refuge from war. It soon expanded to offer assistance to people from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua who are eligible for sponsorship in the U.S.
Welcome.US joined forces with Tech For Refugees in 2022. The initiative provided funding for Welcome.US’ efforts, including a grant to help develop and grow Welcome Connect. Over the past two years, the platform has helped welcome more than half a million refugees.
On 21 May 2024, Tech For Refugees announced a new grant to support the continued expansion of Welcome Connect. The funding will help Welcome.US grow the platform into a “one-stop” resource and support hub for those involved in the sponsorship process.
That same day, Milner shared the announcement on X, writing: “Julia and I are pleased to see Tech For Refugees building on its partnership with @welcomeus to further expand the successful Welcome Connect platform, helping refugees to the U.S. find sponsors to help them rebuild their lives.”
Using Technology to Address the Global Refugee Crisis
The UN Refugee Agency predicts that there are currently more than 120 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Persecution, violence, conflict, human rights violations, and events seriously disturbing the public order have forced these people to leave their homes.
Yuri Milner and his wife Julia launched Tech For Refugees to address this emergency, initially focusing on the war in Ukraine. The initiative has since expanded to support programmes in Pakistan and the Horn of Africa.
Tech For Refugees also teamed up with Uber and NeedsMap to help people affected by the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey access free, safe transport. Uber and Tech For Refugees subsequently extended their collaboration to offer free ride credits to staff and clients of the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
On 18 June 2024, Tech For Refugees revealed that it would fund the IRC’s development of an AI-driven education platform. aprendIA will deliver personalised learning experiences to children living in crisis-affected communities. The system already supports pilot programmes in Colombia, Bangladesh, and Nigeria.
Tech For Refugees intends to widen the scope of its operations as more partners join the initiative. Read more about the innovative organisations working with Tech For Refugees.
About Yuri Milner
Yuri Milner is the founder of DST Global, a signatory of the Giving Pledge, and the author of Eureka Manifesto: The Mission for Our Civilisation. His philanthropic efforts include supporting scientific research, advancing educational initiatives, and addressing humanitarian crises.
In 2012, Milner co-founded the Breakthrough Prize to help raise the profile and prestige of pioneering scientists. Each prize is $3 million and recognises outstanding work in the fields of life sciences, mathematics, and fundamental physics.
Milner has also created the Breakthrough Junior Challenge to inspire the next generation to think creatively about science. The competition offers substantial prizes to the student who makes the best short video explaining a tricky but important scientific topic. Previous winners have made videos on neutrino astronomy and quantum entanglement.