With the current refugee crisis in Europe, refugee aid is on everyone's mind.
These 24 innovations all help refugees in some way. Some of the projects -- like Save the Children's series of illustrations of child marriages and photographer Giles Duley's portraits of Syrian refugees -- aim to raise awareness.
Other innovations contribute to refugee aid by helping new-comers find housing or employment in their country of arrival. For example, a German app helps pair refugees with people willing to offer accommodation in their homes. A traveling pop-up restaurant in London hosts a different refugee chef each night.
Even further refugee aid is accomplished by inventing items that can be of great use in refugee camps. Affordable, compact incubators for premature infants, easy-assemble housing and recyclable bamboo dorms are just a few of the innovations dreamed up to combat the conditions in refugee camps.
24 Refugee Aid Innovations
From Asylum-Offering Apps to Inexpensive Inflatable Incubators:
Charlotte Joyce Kidd — Sep 8, 2015 — Social Good
24
Lantern-Like Folding Refuges
Weaving a Home Proposes an Efficient Shelter for Displaced Families
23
Recycled Refugee Residences
Agora Architects Created a Bamboo Structure to Help Fleeing Burmese
22
Refugee Footwear Photography
A Long Walk by Shannon Jensen Captures a Heart-Wrenching Reality
21
Easy-Assemble Refugee Housing
The IKEA Flat-Pack Shelters Can Be Set Up in Just 4Four Hours
20
Low-Cost Refugee Camps
These Flat-Pack Homes Provide a Long-Term Solution for Housing Refugees
19
Syrian Refugee Portraits
Photographer Giles Duley Captures Displaced Children and Families
18
Insulated Tents
The Thermo Tent is the World's First Fully Insulated Tent
17
Child Marriage Caricatures
Syrian Girls Illustrate Forced Marriages Captured by Save the Children
16
Powerful Syrian Refugee Photography
Syria's Lost Generation Examined Bleak War-Ravaged Realities
15
Sudanese Refugee Photography
Mike Mellia's South Sudan Photography Project is Inspiring
14
Post-Disaster Flooring
These Emergency Floor Mats Help Families Affected by Natural Disasters
13
Refugee Reality Portraits
The 'Humans of Al-Rashidiya' Blog Stars Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon
12
Recyclable Bamboo Dorms
These Eco-Friendly Dormitories are Made of Recycled Timber and Bamboo
11
Inexpensive Inflatable Incubators
The Cheap Incubator is a Solution to Preventable Child Deaths
10
Ghostly Child Refugee Projections
UNICEF Projects Images of Child Refugees onto Sweden's Streets
9
Refugee-Focused Employment
Transitions London is a Social Enterprise for Immigrant Professionals
8
Refugee-Housing Hotels
This Socially Conscious Hotel Gives Young Refugees New Opportunities
7
Asylum-Offering Apps
'Refugees Welcome' is a Site That Pairs Refugees with Host Citizens
6
Humanitarian Connectivity Campaigns
The Vodafone Firsts Programme Helps Families Connect
5
Syrian Victim Portraits
Giles Duley Photographs Victims in Syria in a Powerful Way
4
Social Enterprise Cafes
Milk Cafe Provides Work for Asylum-Seeking Women in Glasgow
3
Roaming Refugee Restaurants
Mazí Mas Creates Employment for Migrant Women in London
2
Refugee Camp Pizza Delivery
This Pizza Delivery Service Reaches the 83,000 People at Zaatari Camp
1
Refugee Rights Organizations
Asylum Access is Based in Oakland, California But Works World-Wide
Related Ideas
Solar Energy-Capturing Tents
The Jackery LightTent-AIR Has its Own Eco Energy System
Recycled Plastic Tiny Homes
Gary Bencheghib's Home in Bali is Made with 35,000 Plastic Bags
Rocking Robotic Toaster Appliances
This Conceptual Robot Toaster by Aleena Qaiser is Simple to Use
AI-Generated Kitchen Appliances
Marcus Byrne Uses AI to Design Gaudi-Inspired Appliances
Minimalist Industrial Cameras
This Braun Instant Camera Concept by Arihant R Israni is Sleek
Smart Aid Kits
Smart Aid Kit Uses Artificial Intelligence to Support Health
AI-Generated Real-World Transformations
AI-Artist Who Gives a Unique Design to Real Objects
Off-Road Frontline Medic Trailers
The 'Life Chariot' Supports Medics in the Field
Pop-Up Reverse Supermarkets
The Give Back Express Invites Shoppers to Buy and Donate Goods
Digital Nomad Concept Cars
This Multipurpose Car Was Envisioned By Students From Skoda
Floating Bamboo Houses
This Vietnamese House Aims to Protect Residents From Rising Water Levels
3D-Printed Intricate Homeware
Sheyn Focues on Designing Detailed Tiny Furniture Homeware
Compactly Cubical Camping Shelters
The 'Maverick' Offers Durable Dwelling Both On & Off the Grid
Kid-Friendly AR Helmets
The 'AR Helmet' Concept by Designer Dot Supports Creativity
Dual-Purpose Pet Carriers
The Conceptual 'Burrow' Pet Carrier by Olga Orel Also Works as a Bed
Solar-Powered Blankets
Mireille Steinhage Designs a Ground-Breaking Blanket
Displaced Persons House Designs
The Essential Homes Research Project Has a Bunker-Like Form
Modern Curvy Furniture Designs
John Vieweg Aims to Innovate with This Furnishing Capsule
Accessible DIY Housing Strategies
Manuel Cervantes Estudio Promotes "Assisted Self-Production"
Kid-Powered Imagination Campaigns
Lunchables' A.I. vs K.I. Proves Kids' Limitless Creativity
Plastic Waste Ice Creams
Eleonora Ortolani Proposes a Different Way to Recycle Plastic Waste
Emergency Shelter Robot Companions
The 'POWER HUG' Robot Concept Offers Warmth and Comfort
AI-Fuelled Caregiving Apps
Nanni AI is an App that Helps Parents Understand their Babies
Sustainable Pop-Up Shelters
The Maawa X is Ultra-Compact and Can Fit into a Suitcase
Novel Home Security Concepts
Swift Creatives Introduces 'Sculptural Surveillance'
Future Building Material Exhibitions
The Farrell Centre Debuts Its Inaugural Exhibition
Instant Noodle Advent Calendars
Koka's Unique Christmas Countdown Shares 12 Comforting Meals
Wireless Solar-Powered Lights
Lund University Students Explore the Benefits of Solar Power
Solar-Powered Water Purifiers
The Stil Water Purifier Leverages the Sun's Energy
Digitized Gas Lamp Lanterns
The Conceptual 'AUGE' Camping Lantern Modernizes a Classic
Minimalist Outdoor Stove Units
The Conceptual 'Lava Box' Maintains a Compact Design
3D-Printed Hotels
A First-of-Its-Kind Hotel is Coming to Marfa, Texas
Vehicle-Ready First Aid Kits
REDI The Roadie First Aid Kit Has 113 Items
Refugee-Supporting Ice Creams
Ben & Jerry's Sunny Honey Home is Arriving for Refugee Week
Digital Sustainable Food Solutions
Special Projects Debuts Eco Lenses to Help with Decision-Making
Brainstorming Business Idea Tools
IdeaMate is the Solution to Fighting Stale Business Ideas
AI-Assisted Ceiling Lights
Mati Papalini and Marko Filipic Design an AI-Assisted Lamp
Consolidated Camping Shelters
The 'Space Acacia' System is Hyper-Durable and Waterproof
Educational Climate Change Toys
The 'Habitat' Educational Toy Brick Sets Come in Two Options
Next-Gen Wildfire Rescue Drones
The Firefly X-01 Fire Rescue Drone Assists Human Firefighters
Happiness-Increasing Urban Space Concepts
Rebeka But Introduces Their Ürban.dose Vision
Solar-Powered Water Purifiers
The 'Stil' Water Purifier by Hans Ramzan is Sustainable
Flexible Concrete Water Tanks
These Inflatable Concrete Tanks are Easy to Deploy
Resurrected Used Smartphones
Think Tank Team Makes Artifacts with Project Afterlife
Self-Building Igloo Makers
The Inland Iglu Only Requires a Hose and Freezing Temperatures
Circular Design Challenges
The 'Make It Circular Challenge' Tackles Climate Change
Kid-Envisioned Urban Environments
The Little Big Playmat Takes a Creative Path to Design Problems
Multifunctional Camper Lantern Devices
The 'CAHEO' Camping Lantern Has a Four-in-One Design
Innovative Ceramic Tableware
Claire Ellis Pushes the Boundaries of Tableware Design
Low-Cost Water Purifiers
The Conceptual 'Edrop' Water Purifier Fits onto Any Bottle
Drinking Water-Generating Jackets
Pavel Hedström Designs the New Fog X Jacket that Collects Fog
Inclusive Fashion Runways
The Runway of Dreams Foundation Returns for New York Fashion Week
Prefabricated Flood-Resistant Houses
Knox Bhavan Developed This Functional Contemporary Home
Box-Like Innovative Apartment Designs
Photon Studio's Designs the Box in the Box Apartment
Refugee-Informed Installations
Ai Weiwei Creates the Life Jackets Installation in Quebec City
Flood-Proof Raft-Inspired Sofas
Mother Releases the Bliss Soda for New York Design Week
Artist-Designed Rain Apparel
Oatly's Sustainability Program 'Oatly ReRuns' Debuts a New Collection
Kid-Designed Sculptural Furniture
Art Gallery Galerie Philia Engages Children with Design-Thinking
3D-Printed Terracotta Coolers
Simon Pavy and Entreautre Designs a New Low-Tech Cooler
Modern Parenting Solutions
KeaBabies is Sustainable Solutions for Modern Parenting Challenges
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
Experimental Prototype Exhibitions
Stephen Burks Creates Designs for Global Crises
Sustainable Modern Bathroom Seating
Marco Carini's Capsule is Made from Recycled Cork Materials
Charitable Fashion Initiatives
KACHOROVSKA is Collaborating with SavED to Benefit Ukraine
Collapsible Emergency-Ready Lanterns
The Tomori Lantern Kit Works Indoors or Out
Art-Focused STEAM Kits
Robot in a Can Helps Build STEAM Skills Through Art and Design Education
Award-Winning Housing Designs
Hong-En Lin Emphasizes the Importance of Clean Water Access
Housing Crisis Presentation Campaigns
IKEA Woks with Shelter to Create Four Real Life Roomsets
Waste Material Laptop Carriers
The 'ILab Bag' Has a Reversible, Storage-Packed Design
Trans Kidney Health Ads
Africa Creative's Ad Sheds Light on Trans Community's Kidney Health Burden
Food Entrepreneurship Programs
Nestle Launches Its New 'Youth Entrepreneurship Platform'
Minimalist Gradient Glass Desks
The in.water Concept by Nicola Morelli is a Metaphor for Pollution
Honeycomb Paper Charitable Designs
Jony Ice Designs a Red Nose Model for UK's Comic Relief
Puzzle-Inspired Modern Dwellings
Gheorghe's Puzzle Link Apartment Features Striking Elements
Multipurpose Camping Shelters
The 'Nomad Cape' Serves As a Hammock, Groundsheet, Poncho & Shelter
Charitable Cross-Cultural T-Shirts
MAMA's NIGHTMARKET Joins KIDS OF IMMIGRANTS on a T-Shirt
Thermoregulating Robotic Beehives
This Gadget Helps Keep Honeybee Colonies Warm During Cold Snaps
Asia-Honoring Artisanal Handmade Designs
IKEA Presents its MÄVINN Collection Celebrates Asia
Urban Waste-Made Furniture
Javier Guzmán Cervantes and Ex Soup Join on an Exhibition
Sustainable-Focused Design Tools
EFFEKT and Velux Work Together to Create the Compass Model
Upcycled Plastic Construction Companies
'Kubik' Uses Plastic Waste as a Sustainable Material
Quickly Accessible Health Information
YouTube's Announced First Aid Information Shelves
Affordable Tiny Home Communities
Durham Region Launches a Tiny Home Project to End Homelessness
Foodtech Support Initiatives
Rabobank is Accepting Applications for its 'FoodBytes!' Program
Self-Sustaining Houses
Archiopteryx Designs the People Tree House in Noida, India
Lifesaving Swimming Vests
The 'SwimVest' Inflates Quickly to Aid Swimmers In Distress
Low-Waste Shopping Solutions
ASDA, Avery Berkel & Hanshow are Enhancing Sustainability in the UK
Post-Apocalyptic Aluminum Furniture
Students at HEAD Genève Create 2084, Diorama of the Future
Flying Umbrella Prototypes
This Hands-Free Device Hovers Above You to Protect From the Rain
Updated Sustainable API Features
Google Adds New Features to its Ingenious Project Sunroof
Martian-Informed Inflatable Buildings
The Martian House is a Prototype Shelter for Astronauts
Eco-Friendly Styrofoam Furniture
we+ Designs the New Range of Recyclable Sleek Furniture
Artificial Insemination Sexual Toys
Juliane Kühr Designs the Vruit Kit with Conception Assistance
Human Candle Campaigns
These Human Statues of Candle Wax Bring Attention to Youth Burnout
Pro-Bono Charitable Graphic Tees
American Red Cross Drops the Collaborative Drop for Drop Series
Charitable Zero-Waste Meals
Good Food Project Turns Excess Food into Meals for the Food Insecure
Welcoming Prefabricated Student Housing
Ignacio Prego Architectures Designs New Student Housing
Violence-Combatting Sporty Capsules
adidas and Arsenal Expand the No More Red Collection
Mesmerizing Fluid Art Installations
Dutch Invertuals Creates the Flow Fountain Installation
Portable Pet Shelter Backpacks
The Travel Habitat Carrier is Designed with Multiple Functions
Locally Focused Visionary Tableware
IKEA's Design Lab Presents the New Products of Place Campaign
Inclusive Gaming Initiatives
RNIB and Twitch are Creating Change for Gamers with Sight Loss
Problem-Based Website Ideas
Painkiller Ideas Offers a Database of Real Consumer Problems
Chance to win £10,000
Meet the Cornish upcycler inspiring people
Expansive School Bamboo Canopies
CollectiveProject Creates a Canopy at Talaricheruvu Rural School
Autism Awareness Tech Products
TORRAS Presents its COOLiFY Cyber Product in New Campaign
Coral Reef-Inspired Institutes
Foster + Partners Unveil a New Design for a Saudi Arabian Institute
Eco Meal Program Initiatives
The Home Chef Food Rescue Program Redirects Surplus and Waste
Sustainable Cubic Homes
Appels Architekten Designs a New Wooden Home in Germany
Large-Scale Meal Campaigns
The 1 Billion Meals Endowment Campaign Provides Food for Millions
Unpredictable Festive Ad Campaigns
The American Red Cross Launches the New Snowfall Campaign
3D-Printed Public Pavilion Prototypes
Hassell Works with Nagami on a New Public Pavilion
Homeless Awareness Films
Robert Craig Films Debuted 'No Address' to Showcase the Homeless Crisis
Refugee-Supporting Protein Bars
KIND Launches Limited Edition Bars in Support of CHOOSE LOVE
Social Digital Nomad Apps
The 'Citizen Remote' App Supports Remote Workers and More
Awareness-Raising Poverty Campaigns
Oxfam Australia Debuts a Platform Called 'Unaccept Inequality'
Journey-Inspired Fall-Ready Fashion
AIREI Presents Refuge, Deluge, Transfuge for FW23
Modular Tent Classroom Designs
Zaha Hadid Architects Designs a Series of Classrooms for Refugees
Billboard-Transformed Tent Shelters
Wunderman Thompson Morocco Creates the Life-Saving Outdoors
Social Good Ski Initiatives
Christy Sports Launched the Nordica Unleashed Outreach
Soccer Match Women's Aid Ads
Women's Aid Campaign Draws Attention to Increase in Domestic Abuse
Drought-Awareness Rug Designs
Liselot Cobelens Designs the Dryland Rug in Four Looks
Sustainability-Focused Building Renovations
Climate Group Launches the Renovation Revolution
Desert Reflective Art Installations
Olafur Eliasson Designs the Shadows Travelling Installation
Illuminating Water-Based Pavillions
Daniel Ryabakken Installs the Shelter Pavilion in Stockholm
Immigration System-Inspired Artworks
SOLDIER's Passport Series Confront the Biased Justice System
Charitable Hygiene Supply Initiatives
Purse Project Collects Personal Care Goods for Those in Need
Dynamic Interactive Lighting Installations
Zava Designs a New Light and Metal Installation
Empowering Watermark Campaigns
The UNFPA's 'bodyright' Campaign Brings Awareness to Online Rights
Heartfelt Adoption Campaigns
Home Center Encourages Adoption in the Middle East in New Campaign
Upcycled Down Furniture Series
Christoph Kurzmann Breathes New Life to Old Furniture
Provocative Eco Screensavers
Planet-Saving Screen Savers Encourage Switching Off Devices
Childhood-Inspired Generational Homes
AUN Design Studio Creates the New Reflection House
Disaster-Ready Housing Prototypes
Holcim & Norman Foster Join on the Essential Homes Project
Children-Supporting Trust Initiatives
The Children who Trust Again Campaign Supports Abuse Victims
Community Borrowing Apps
Borrow Encourages Neighbours to Interact and Share
AI-Powered Migrant Labor Platforms
The INDIMA Platform Aims to Enhance Labor Market Integration
Metamorphosing Fall-Ready Fashion
DZHUS Presents its New Seasonal Transit Collection
Crisis Response Services
Charity Launches a Free Community Crisis Response Service for Tragedies
Connective Altruistic Apps
Heart 2 Help Uses Tech Can to Foster Positive Relationships