Digital divide in refugee camps leaves local aid groups struggling for access

A new study has examined how digital systems influence aid delivery in refugee camps. The research, conducted by the Aapti Institute, focused on the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. It found that while technology can improve coordination, unequal access to data often leaves local groups struggling to provide essential services.

The UNHCR Smart Card, a biometric digital ID, helps refugees access food, healthcare, and shelter. But the system's centralised control means smaller organisations—often the most connected to communities—are left out of key decisions.

The Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar rely on a complex network of agencies. The government of Bangladesh, UN bodies like UNHCR and IOM, and international NGOs manage everything from shelter to medical care. A centralised digital ID system, the UNHCR Smart Card, replaced multiple paper records, streamlining aid distribution.

Yet local NGOs, despite their deep community ties, face barriers. Without access to central platforms like PRIMES or DHIS2, they turn to manual methods: paper lists, WhatsApp messages, and shared Excel files. Some use SMS reporting or bilateral data-sharing deals with larger agencies just to coordinate food drops or clinic visits. The study highlights how political dynamics and technical restrictions push these groups to the margins.

Data can be lifesaving in crises, helping agencies plan responses and target aid efficiently. But the current setup concentrates power with a few global actors. Refugees have little say in how their information is used, and local organisations—often the first to spot gaps in services—are sidelined in decision-making.

The report argues that better systems must do more than just connect databases. True progress requires inclusion, giving communities and smaller NGOs a real role in data collection and governance. Open-source tools, recognised as Digital Public Goods, could help level the playing field. Without these changes, unequal access to information will keep undermining aid efforts in places like Cox's Bazar.

The findings point to a clear gap between digital potential and on-the-ground reality. Centralised control of refugee data leaves local responders dependent on workarounds, slowing down critical services. For humanitarian systems to become fairer and more resilient, the study concludes, interoperability must go hand in hand with equity, trust, and shared decision-making.