العربيةIn a groundbreaking move to showcase its cutting-edge Information Technology Service Centre (ITSC), UNRWA has unveiled an immersive 360-degree virtual reality tour during an interactive webinar. As Gaza’s largest IT employer, ITSC is staffed by talented local IT graduates and young professionals, many of whom are Palestine refugees. Since its inception in 2020, the Centre has successfully met the remote tech support and outsourcing needs of UNRWA and the wider United Nations system.
The inaugural webinar, led by Annalaura Anselmi, Chief of Private Partnerships, shed light on the impact of this transformative initiative and explored collaborative opportunities for amplifying its reach. “Events like this are crucial to show the impact on the ground and to explore how we can amplify this impact together,” stated Anselmi, emphasizing the importance of fostering partnerships.
Overcoming the formidable challenges of digitalization in the face of a humanitarian crisis, particularly amid 15 years of economic blockade and soaring poverty rates, UNRWA ITSC has experienced exponential growth, expanding by a staggering 22-fold in recent years. “Around 83 per cent of Palestine refugees in Gaza are living in poverty. It is driven by chronic levels of unemployment, officially sitting between 45-50 per cent, and for youth, it is much closer to 70 per cent. Through digitalization, UNRWA sees an opportunity to enable young Palestine refugees to access an economy which is not constrained by the blockade,” explained Thomas White, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza, underscoring the agency’s determination to create a brighter future.
Highlighting Gaza’s untapped potential as a hub for shared services comparable to those in developed nations, Kaan Cetinturk, UNRWA CIO and Director of Information Management and Technology Department (IMTD), spoke highly of the region’s skilled and educated youth, boasting one of the highest literacy rates. “Youth in Gaza are very capable and well educated, with one of the highest literacy rates. There are also a lot of IT university graduates. We want to increase their livelihoods through employment and internship opportunities,” emphasized Cetinturk. With the support of dedicated partners and generous donors, UNRWA is committed to expanding this transformative model, implementing additional digitalization projects, and bridging economic divides to uplift Palestine refugees. Cetinturk also revealed ambitious plans to establish a digital hub, serving as a space for youth to connect with industry giants such as Microsoft, Facebook, Google, Amazon, and more.
To provide an authentic experience, the webinar participants embarked on a guided virtual tour, offering mesmerizing 360-degree panoramic views of ITSC and showcasing the dedicated staff in action. “We aim to add faces to the figures and facts. With this virtual tour, we take you into the Centre as if you are walking there,” enthused Tasnim Hammouda, IMTD Communications Consultant, fostering a sense of connection and immersion.
UNRWA’s introduction of this groundbreaking virtual tour not only underscores their unwavering commitment to advancing digital opportunities for Palestine refugees but also paves the way for a brighter future, where innovation and connectivity prevail.
You can read the full UNRWA press release here: UNRWA introduces partners to its Information Technology Service Centre with the launch of its first virtual tour | UNRWA
