‘Hello Hope’ is a free mobile app from service provider Turkcell that uses the power of mobile phones to improve the integration of refugees and reduce inequalities.

Turkcell provides an app called “Hello Hope” which helps refugees integrate more quickly and successfully into Turkish society. This is achieved through language flash-cards, instant speech translation services and information on accessing public services such as healthcare and education. Since its launch, the app has grown to over 900 thousand downloads, 5 million uses of the instant translation feature and 240 million views of Turkish language learning flashcards.

Turkcell also supports Syrian refugees by providing them with extended mobile connectivity, serving 1.3 million Syrians with its network and its Arabic language call center – which has, at times, turned into an emergency hotline for refugees in distress.

As the world’s largest refugee-hosting country, Turkey has over 3.5 million Syrian refugees are currently living there, and 50% of them believe they will stay for at least the next five years. The Turkish government recently passed legislation allowing Syrians to seek employment opportunities, but language remains a significant barrier. Apps like Hello Hope help to break down barriers to effective and rapid integration and thus help to reduce the inequalities in society.