In brief
Amid the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, Hania Zataari has developed an innovative chatbot to streamline aid distribution for displaced families, meeting urgent needs as violence continues to affect countless lives.
As conflict continues to devastate Lebanon, a mechanical engineer named Hania Zataari has found a way to harness technology to aid those caught in the turmoil. Hailing from Sidon, Hania created a WhatsApp chatbot dubbed the "aidbot" to help connect displaced individuals with necessary resources amid an escalating war.The conflict intensified on September 23, 2023, when Israel launched extensive attacks against Hezbollah, leading to one of Lebanon's deadliest days in nearly two decades, with over 492 people reported killed. The shockwaves of violence have forced thousands to flee their homes, seeking shelter in Sidon and other areas. Many, lacking direct government support, are struggling to secure essentials like food and shelter.Responding to this crisis, Hania's aidbot simplifies the aid request process. By running a series of straightforward question prompts, the bot gathers information on what assistance people need while recording their names and locations on an accessible Google spreadsheet. This helps Hania and her dedicated team of volunteers efficiently manage and distribute vital supplies, including food, blankets, and medical supplies.Hania utilized her spare time to develop the chatbot through Callbell.eu, a platform that facilitates customer interaction on popular messaging apps. The ease and effectiveness of the aidbot have allowed her to greatly reduce response times for assistance requests.The project, funded by generous donations from Lebanese expatriates, boasts a transparent methodology, showcasing both expenditures and the distribution of aid supplies on a public dashboard. To date, the initiative has successfully delivered hundreds of food parcels and essential items to families in need.Amid personal tragedies, such as Khaldoun Abbas's family losing their home in an Israeli strike, many displaced individuals have been able to turn to the aidbot for support. Khaldoun described how he and his extended family relied on the bot to receive mattresses and other necessities after being displaced.The conflict’s ongoing instability and Lebanon's profound economic crisis further complicate aid distribution efforts. While international organizations like UNICEF face severe funding shortages, local volunteers working with Hania note the overwhelming demand for aid relative to available resources. Despite these challenges, Hania's initiative might be a beacon of hope amid despair. As the first known use of a chatbot in the humanitarian sector in this context, Hania's project is praised for its cultural sensitivity and practicality, adjusting to local communication preferences. While it may not solve all problems facing the nation, for families reliant on it, the aidbot represents a crucial step towards improving their daily lives amidst a backdrop of conflict and hardship.
