# UNHCR fundraising campaign asks people to match refugees’ annual billion miles

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/01/14/unhcr-fundraising-campaign-asks-people-match-refugees-annual-billion-miles/
- Published: 2019-01-14T07:34:03+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**UN Refugee Agency UNHCR has launched a campaign to raise awareness and funds to
help refugees around the world, voiced by Ben Stiller.**

The [Step with Refugees](https://stepwithrefugees.org/en/) campaign highlights how
in total, refugees walk more than 1 billion miles across the globe each year to 
reach safety, and encourages people to connect their fitness apps and donating the
miles they are already covering to match this global total.

In 2019, the campaign will run across 27 countries across Africa, Asia, Central 
and North America, Europe and the Middle East, with a target of engaging 1.5 million
people to sign up. Participants are also encouraged to seek sponsorship to raise
funds for [UNHCR](https://www.unhcr.org/uk), which will be used to support refugees
as they reach the first point of safety.

## Advertisement

This includes registration and reception services, which provide refugees with access
to food and water, household supplies, shelter, and healthcare and psychological
support.

Results will be added in real time on the campaign website, so participants can 
see the individual difference they are making and keep an eye on the running total
for the campaign’s duration.
 

 A two-year project, it is led by broadcast design agency [Hello Charlie](https://www.hellocharlie.com/),
which worked collaboratively on the lead creative with agency [Great State](http://www.GreatState.co),
from inception through to the project launch. The team worked closely with the UN
Refugee Agency to find the balance of sentiment and action that it hopes will bring
about awareness and change to the plight of refugees across the planet.

Hello Charlie created the essential launch film and Great State constructed the 
core digital activation, allowing participants to donate their physical activity
to help reach the target of a billion miles, generating leads for UNHCR, and raising
awareness of the global refugee crisis.
 [⌊UNHCR campaign⌉](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2019/01/UNHCR-Campaign-page-Landscape-Miles-e1547467586198.jpeg)
Christian Schaake, Head of Private Sector Partnerships at UNHCR said:

> “We know that there is immense public sympathy and compassion for refugees. I 
> see this every day when talking to our donors and supporters all over the world.
> We wanted to tap into these positive feelings of solidarity by uniting millions
> of people all over the world in a visible global campaign that both celebrates
> the resilience and strength of refugees and achieves a common goal to protect 
> them as they reach safety. The public response to this campaign has already been
> fantastic. It will be inspiring to see people from over 27 countries stepping 
> with refugees, donating miles, donating funds and engaging their family and friends
> to do the same.”

Charles Golding, Hello Charlie Senior Creative on the project, said: 

> “After an extensive period of research and development, the team were able to 
> develop a concept that has global resonance and a universal understanding. The
> journey narrative is a strong and evocative motif that runs through the entire
> campaign. Whether you are walking to school or working out in the gym, the campaign
> allows for anyone from any background to engage and empathise with a subject matter
> that is often perceived to be far from many people’s daily reality.”

Lucy Weston, Senior Art Director at Great State said: 

> “The beauty of this campaign is how easy it makes it for users to connect with
> refugees. It uses technology in a really subtle way to draw a physical connection
> and understanding between people who could be millions of miles apart and allows
> people who feel powerless to help make a difference in everyday life.”

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