The Patterson Foundation provided a $200,000 matching gift to strengthen its international partner NetHope’s mission to install additional Wi-Fi hotspots in refugee camps throughout Greece, Serbia and Slovenia—catalyzing a $400,000 total investment for the expanded effort. The NetHope-led Syrian Refugee Connectivity Alliance has brought Wi-Fi to approximately 500,000 people in 76 camps since October 2015, in close collaboration with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and its Connectivity for Refugees dedicated program. The NetHope-led Syrian Refugee Connectivity Alliance works to provide Wi-Fi connectivity and technical support for refugees, aid workers and other camp support staff. Refugees depend on Internet access in their settlements to communicate with family and friends, seek asylum, learn new languages, gather news and stay connected to the outside world. The Patterson Foundation contributed $393,000 total to NetHope’s effort in 2016 through the $200,000 match and a previous gift of $193,000 in catalytic funding.

The Patterson Foundation