Hope@IBM
User Journey | Social Impact | Design
2 weeks (2022)
IBM IX Global Design Sprint Challenge
Design Problem: Ukrainian women refugees faced challenges in accessing essential resources, safe housing, jobs, and mental health support during the war crisis.
Solution: Hope@IBM, a digital platform powered by IBM’s Watson AI, provided SOS assistance, childcare support, employment opportunities, and skill-building resources to aid refugee resettlement and integration.
Design Drives [ Empathy ]
Understand the challenges faced by Ukrainian women refugees during the war crisis and explore potential design-driven solutions.
Research and Insights
Key Research Question:
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What are the primary destinations for Ukrainian refugees, and how are host countries supporting them?
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What significant challenges do refugees face during transit and resettlement, including housing, employment, and mental health?
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How can real-time digital tools provide refugees with accurate information on resources, safety, and support?
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What rights are guaranteed to refugees under international laws, and how can awareness of these rights be improved?
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What role does the UN and its partnerships play in addressing the immediate and long-term needs of refugees?
Key Insight:
The male population is often left behind in the country to help with the war, and the women take on the role of sole- caregivers for their kids, the elderly and themselves.
Problem
Women are exiting Ukraine along with their Children, Elderly & Pets to survive the terrifying war crisis and save their loved ones by managing their own needs. Their dependence as refugees in a new and unknown space with a lack of personal support for each of their unique needs can be highly challenging.
Integrity and Choices
Loss of integrity & freedom of choice as a refugee.
Self worth and Regret
Underlying feeling of hate, loss of belongingness & regret.
Harassment and Abuse
Children and women are most prone to harassment, abuse & trafficking.
Opportunities and Education
There is an increasing gap in employ-ability and risk of dropping out of education.
Added Responsibility
Women are over burdened to play the role of the sole- bread winner of a family.
Resource Depletion
Exhaustion of funds and resources from Host countries & local volunteers.
How might we build a safe space for women seeking to build a new life?
Proposed Solution
A centralized digital platform that leverages IBM Watson AI and the IBM community to provide comprehensive support for refugees, addressing immediate and long-term needs.
It will support Ukrainian women refugees with features such as:
SOS Assistance
Emergency alerts and real-time safety updates.
Verified Host
Matching
Connect refugees with reliable hosts for housing support.
Employment
Opportunities
Access to job listings and skill-building resources.
Mental Health
Support
Online counseling and self-help resources.
Resource
Navigation
Simplified access to essential services like childcare, healthcare, and education.
Layer 1
Layer 11
Layer 111
Design Features
Intuitive user interface with multi-language support.
Secure identity verification to ensure safety and privacy.
Data visualization tools to help refugees easily access critical information.
Impact
Enhanced access to essential resources for refugees, improved quality of life.
Built trust and safety through verified information and hosts.
Fostered long-term integration through employment and skill development opportunities.