In brief
In response to escalating conflict and displacement in Lebanon, engineer Hania Zataari developed an innovative WhatsApp chatbot to facilitate aid delivery, providing essential support to families in need.
Empty line As conflict in Lebanon intensifies, displaced families grapple with dire circumstances and struggle to access essential aid. Responding to this urgent humanitarian crisis, Hania Zataari, a mechanical engineer with the Ministry of Industry, created an "aidbot" via WhatsApp to streamline support for those suffering from the fallout of war.Hailing from Sidon, South Lebanon, Hania took action last autumn when violence in the region dramatically escalated. Following a significant attack by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) against Hezbollah strongholds on September 23, the situation grew increasingly dire. With over 492 reported fatalities in one day, thousands were left homeless and desperate for assistance, seeking refuge in schools or living with relatives.Hania's objective was to reach those who weren’t receiving direct government assistance. Utilizing her programming skills, she developed a chatbot capable of gathering information from individuals about their specific aid needs. This information is logged into a Google spreadsheet, enabling Hania and her team of volunteers to efficiently provide essentials like food, blankets, and mattresses.The aidbot is designed to quickly ascertain the types of assistance required, asking users simple questions related to their needs. For instance, if someone requests baby formula, the bot solicits details on the child's age and desired quantity to facilitate accurate delivery. Funded by donations from Lebanese communities abroad, Hania has created a publicly accessible dashboard documenting the funds used and aid distributed. Recently, the team has delivered approximately 78 food parcels, 900 mattresses, and 323 blankets across various parts of Lebanon, significantly aiding affected families. Khaldoun Abbas, one displaced individual, shared his experience of using the aidbot to request essential items for his family of seventeen sheltered in a Sidon apartment after fleeing their village.The ongoing conflict has devastated the Lebanese economy, creating further obstacles for effective aid distribution. Difficulties stem from both high demand and dwindling supplies, compounded by reliance on external funding for aid organizations. Despite a ceasefire in place, the need for humanitarian assistance remains critical yet unfulfilled. Experts point out the innovative nature of the aiDBot within the humanitarian sector, noting its ability to meet people where they are and acknowledge cultural contexts. Though scaling the project may prove challenging, the aidbot remains a lifeline for families navigating an increasingly complex landscape of war and economic turmoil in Lebanon.
