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How tech is being used to help Ukraine

Tech entrepreneurs in Ukraine are using their skills to develop software to help people stay safe. But there are warnings the tech might be exploited by criminal gangs.

Technology is being used in creative ways to help Ukrainian people stay safe. From offering refugees spare rooms to targeting humanitarian aid to specific shelters, tech entrepreneurs are developing software solutions to try and help in the war effort.
Ukraine is an innovation hub. Before the Russian invasion it was home to hundreds of tech start-up firms. Now many of those young entrepreneurs have had to leave the cities where they worked. Eugene Gusarvo and Andrii Tagansky tell Sam Fenwick they felt like traitors leaving their home city, Kyiv on February 24th but they have found purpose creating a website which has helped more than 3,000 refugees find temporary shelter.
Four million people have left Ukraine for neighbouring countries, according the United Nations. Those arriving in Georgia can find support from a service set up by 37 year old Stanislav Sabanov. Originally from Russia he says he wants to help because he disagrees with the war.
But there are concerns this new tech might be exploited by criminal gangs. Human Rights organisations are warning that there are not enough online checks and sex and human traffickers might use them to target vulnerable people.
So could this new technology do more harm than good?
Presenter / Producer : Sam Fenwick
(Image: tech entrepreneurs; Credit: Eugene Gusarvo and Andrii Tagansky)

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Wed 6 Apr 2022 07:32GMT

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