# Empathic Refugee VR Experiences The United Nations' UNVR App Aims to Increase Volunteer Numbers By Joey Haar | Published 2016-09-21 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unvr-app References: [theverge](http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/19/12933874/unvr-clouds-over-sidra-film-app-launch) & [unitednationsvirtualreality.wordpress](https://unitednationsvirtualreality.wordpress.com/) The [United Nations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canvas-of-the-future1)' UNVR app is a clever way to use technology in order to increase people's empathy. Because VR is so immersive, it can make people feel as though they have been physically transported across the planet. The UNVR app takes this principle of transportation and makes it emotional rather than physical, encouraging those who use it to feel for -- and make donations to -- the causes depicted. The UNVR app is comprised of four VR experiences. The first, 'Clouds over Sidra,' follows a 12-year-old Syrian refugee. A [UNICEF](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/patchwork-kingdoms) study showed that it doubled the likelihood of a donation for those who watched it compared to those who didn't. In light of this success, the UN produced three new VR experiences: 'My Mother's Wings,' about Gaza, 'Waves of Grace,' about Liberia and 'Beyond the Lake,' about the [Democratic Republic](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artzme-app) of the Congo. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.2/10 - Popularity: 13% | Activity: 14% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Activism](https://www.trendhunter.com/activism) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Virtual Reality Experiences:** The use of VR technology to create immersive experiences that increase empathy and support charitable causes. - **Emotional Transportation:** Utilizing VR technology to emotionally transport users to different locations and situations, fostering empathy and connection. - **Enhanced Donation Impact:** Using VR experiences to significantly increase the likelihood of donations compared to traditional methods. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Nonprofit Organizations:** Nonprofits can leverage VR technology to create impactful experiences that engage donors and promote awareness. - **Charitable Fundraising:** Charitable organizations can use VR experiences to generate increased donations and support for their causes. - **Virtual Reality Technology:** VR companies can develop specialized applications and content that target the philanthropic sector, providing innovative solutions for fundraising and storytelling. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Healing VR Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/healing-vr-experiences.md) - [Travel-Inspired VR Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/othersight.md) - [Phobia-Fighting VR Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ovrcome.md) - [Mixed-Reality Blood Donations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mixed-reality-experience.md) - [Virtual Meditation Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hoame-1.md) - [Empathetic AI-Powered Journal Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/empaithy-app.md) - [Virtual Reality Insurance Consults](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ergo.md) - [Connective Altruistic Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heart-2-help.md) - [VR-Powered Therapeutic Treatments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vrpowered-therapeutic-treatments.md)