When Signpost first launched in 2015, there were 65 million forcibly displaced persons. Today, displacement is at an all-time high, with an estimated 108 million people forcibly displaced worldwide. Forced displacement is expected to steadily increase, in light of protracted conflicts and crises brought about by climate change.
At the beginning of 2020, Signpost had just three active programs worldwide. It has since experienced 466% year-over-year growth, now with 20 active programs and planned growth of ten more. The Covid-19 pandemic acted as a significant catalyst for Signpost programs — it displayed the need for contextualized information and the importance of combatting misinformation. With many people remaining in their homes, internet usage increased and activities once held in-person were moved online.
With over 4.6 billion people using mobile internet worldwide, Signpost is uniquely positioned to help people in crisis, wherever they may be.