Signpost is a project led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). It creates digital hubs that give vital information to people affected by crises, conflict, and disasters. The project equips local teams with advanced digital tools and channels, such as social media. This helps them reach the communities that need help the most.

Information is power

In 2015, Signpost's launch coincided with 65 million people being forcibly displaced globally. The number has now climbed to 123 million people. Signpost connects with people in crisis worldwide, thanks to over 4 billion mobile internet users and support from Google.org, Zendesk, and the Cisco Foundation. Today, Signpost programs operate in nearly 30 countries and 25 languages. 

How does Signpost work?

Through Signpost, the world's most vulnerable communities gain access to vital, reliable information. Signpost built its innovative design around three key features:

Maryam’s experience with Signpost in Italy

A woman in a hijab looking at her phone
Italy. Maryam, 27, came to Italy as a refugee and now works for IRC’s Signpost program in the country, Refugee.Info.

Forced from their home in Afghanistan, Maryam and her family moved to Italy in 2021. Initially, Maryam found it hard to adapt because of the language barrier. Navigating the legal system left her feeling totally lost. 

Despite asking about Italy’s refugee policies and necessary documents, she received no helpful information. Then, she discovered Refugee.Info Italy–the Signpost program in Italy–where she could access urgently needed information about the issues she was facing in a language she could understand.

“First of all, accurate information is important for every person, and it's most important for those who are new, in a place where they are not aware of the government and their policies, nothing,” she says.

After facing these challenges personally, Maryam now works for the IRC in Italy as a social media moderator on the Refugee.Info project, which uses Signpost technology. “When our clients or our audience are sending messages to our social media platforms, they are available in six languages,” she shares. “So when they are sending messages, they feel very happy that we are able to communicate with them in a language that they can understand… And they are recommending our page to others in need.”

Unlocking Artificial Intelligence for good

With artificial intelligence, Signpost is aiming to reach a target of 50% of the world's displaced population.

Signpost and Google are collaborating on an AI testing lab to evaluate AI performance in diverse situations. The partnership with Google provides Signpost with access to advanced AI models and resources, enabling comprehensive testing across various scenarios. This collaboration ensures that the AI tools developed are both safe and effective for deployment in humanitarian settings, ultimately aiming to improve the reach and quality of aid provided to those in need.

Signpost’s latest program: Support for asylum seekers in NYC

Signpost and IRC are excited to announce the launch of Documented.Info, a project developed with Documented, a non-profit news organization covering NYC's immigrant communities.

Documented.info offers asylum seekers in NYC multilingual, reliable information on shelter, mental health, employment eligibility, and legal aid.

A man typing and looking at the laptop screen
El Salvador. IRC staff look at CuentaNos.org in the office. CuentaNos is Signpost in Central America.

Are you in crisis or displaced and in need of urgent information?

Visit the Signpost site for more information or look below for Signpost offerings by country.