Virtual reality helping refugees in Jordan

Thursday, 20 June 2019 16:00

The global organisation Mercy Corps is partnering with the University of Bradford’s Building Resilience Through Heritage (BReaTHe) project to help Syrian refugees in Jordan improve their psychological and emotional wellbeing using virtual reality.

With more than 630,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan, the partnership is using the latest technologies to deliver virtual reality (VR) experiences to help individuals and communities reconnect with and discuss the heritage of their homelands.

The university said that for the younger generation who only know Syria in war, VR — along with other methods of promoting cultural heritage such as traditional stories, recipes or family photos — can create a connection to their homeland that is a source of pride and strength.

Simon O’Connell, Executive Director, Mercy Corps says: “As an organisation we believe that technology has a huge role to play in improving people’s lives. We’ve seen first-hand the impact that VR can have on a Syrian mother who has been displaced from her home for many years. Being able to return virtually to that home, experience it in some way again, which helps her deal with the trauma of war, is powerful and important.”

Dr Adrian Evans, from the University of Bradford said “It’s a profound and humbling experience to work in refugee communities. We’re delighted to see our digital heritage tools and expertise being useful to those in desperate need of positive memories and experiences to build personal and societal resilience.”

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