Steve Smith
December 19, 2025
Here’s how virtual reality can boost refugee crisis awareness and action
Scientists from Washington State University showed 2 groups of people a film about the Syrian refugee crisis. The film is called Clouds of Sidra and follows a 12-year-old Syrian refugee. One group watched the film on a computer screen, while another group watched it in VR. The VR viewers reported higher levels of sympathy than the 2D viewers.
Virtual reality (VR) shows promise in increasing empathy and encouraging donations towards refugee crises. A study by Washington State University compared the impact of a VR film, "Clouds of Sidra," about a Syrian refugee child, on two groups:
- VR viewers reported significantly higher levels of sympathy compared to those who watched the film on a computer screen.
- The effect was strongest among political conservatives: They showed a greater increase in sympathy and donation likelihood after the VR experience.
Virtual reality as a bridge for humanitarian action
The study's authors suggest VR's immersive nature bridges ideological divides, influencing attitudes in a way traditional media might not. This has significant practical implications for NGOs and aid agencies seeking to raise awareness and secure donations for humanitarian crises.
The Global Collaboration Village: A VR platform for action
One example is the Global Collaboration Village, the world's first extended reality platform dedicated to fostering public-private cooperation on global challenges.
This initiative by the World Economic Forum, in partnership with Accenture and powered by Microsoft Mesh, demonstrates the potential of VR technology to create impactful solutions for complex issues like the refugee crisis.
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