Hania Zataari: Innovating Aid Distribution for Displaced People in Lebanon

Hania Zataari, who works for the Lebanese Ministry of Industry, has created an innovative solution to simplify the distribution of aid for displaced families in Lebanon, where war has left thousands struggling to find food, shelter, and basic necessities.

Last autumn, as violence between Israel and Hezbollah escalated, many people in Lebanon were forced to flee their homes, losing everything in the process. Hania, from Sidon in South Lebanon, saw the need for a solution that could bridge the gap between the vast demand for aid and the limited resources available to meet that demand. Drawing on her engineering and programming expertise, she developed a chatbot, known as the "aidbot," to help streamline the process of distributing critical support.

On September 23, 2023, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah took a dramatic turn. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) targeted over 1,600 Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, leading to widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis. Thousands of families, displaced by the violence, fled to cities like Sidon, seeking shelter in schools, public buildings, and with family members. These people were often left without access to the aid they desperately needed, particularly those who were not staying in official shelters and did not receive direct government assistance.

Recognizing this gap, Hania set out to find a way to help those who were falling through the cracks. Using her free time, she designed a simple yet effective WhatsApp chatbot that would allow displaced people to request aid by sending a message. The chatbot asks a series of straightforward questions to determine what aid is needed (e.g., food, medicine, blankets, or mattresses), and records the person's location and the quantity required. This information is then logged in a Google spreadsheet, which Hania and her team of volunteers use to distribute aid efficiently.

The chatbot helps alleviate the strain of responding to hundreds of individual requests, allowing Hania to coordinate the delivery of supplies more effectively. "I'm not really interested in knowing their names. I just need to know where they are so I can manage the delivery," she explains. This simplicity has been key to the bot's success

Despite the scale of the crisis, Hania's project is entirely volunteer-run. She collaborates with a team of friends and family members, all of whom are donating their time to ensure aid reaches the people who need it most. The project is funded primarily through donations from Lebanese people living abroad, with Hania having set up a publicly available dashboard that records all financial transactions, donations, and the distribution of aid. This transparency allows donors to see exactly where their contributions are going and builds trust within the community.

The aidbot has proven to be a highly effective tool, as it allows for rapid response times and better tracking of resources. As of early January 2025, the team has successfully delivered 78 food parcels to families, 900 mattresses, and 323 blankets, reaching displaced families across Sidon and surrounding areas. In addition to these basic necessities, Hania and her team have been able to provide other forms of aid, such as baby formula and cleaning supplies, based on requests through the chatbot.

Khaldoun Abbas, a 47-year-old from Najjarieh, was one of the thousands who sought refuge in Sidon after Israel intensified its strikes in southern Lebanon. His family, consisting of 17 people ranging from ages 9 to 78, had to leave their home after receiving evacuation orders from the IDF, which warned of imminent danger. They eventually found shelter in a rented three-bedroom apartment in Sidon.

In the cramped apartment, Khaldoun, his wife, children, and his brother's family had to sleep on mattresses in the hallway. They used the aidbot to request essential supplies like food, blankets, and mattresses. Khaldoun recalls how quickly the aid arrived, providing a much-needed lifeline for his family. "Without this help, we would have had nothing," he says.

Unfortunately, just 11 days after fleeing, Khaldoun's home was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike. The IDF claimed it had struck "terror infrastructure" in the area. However, Khaldoun strongly denies any association with Hezbollah or any other militant groups. His story is not an isolated case; many displaced people, like Khaldoun, have lost everything in the conflict, including their homes and livelihoods. Yet, thanks to the aidbot, they are able to receive essential supplies and remain hopeful for the future.

Sidon, Hania's hometown, has long been a place of refuge for displaced people from the Lebanon-Israel border. The city has earned a reputation for its generosity, consistently opening its doors to those in need. As the most recent war between Israel and Hezbollah continues to displace thousands, Sidon is once again playing a central role in providing shelter and support.

This history of refuge has inspired many residents, including Hania, to contribute to the welfare of those affected by the conflict. Hania's aidbot project has become a powerful example of how technology can be harnessed to support communities in times of crisis.

"This isn't the first time Sidon has opened its doors to displaced people," she notes, referring to previous waves of displacement in the region. The resilience of Sidon's people, along with the innovative use of technology, has made a meaningful impact during one of the most challenging periods in Lebanon's history.

The success of Hania's initiative has garnered attention both locally and internationally, as people recognize the potential for using technology to address humanitarian challenges. The aidbot not only improves the efficiency of aid distribution but also fosters a sense of solidarity among Lebanese communities, whether inside the country or abroad.

Hania's efforts are a testament to the power of innovation and compassion in the face of crisis. By leveraging technology to deliver aid, she has created a scalable model that could potentially be adapted for use in other conflict zones or areas experiencing humanitarian disasters. In an era where digital tools are transforming every aspect of our lives, Hania's work proves that technology can be a powerful force for good, offering new ways to help those in desperate need.

As the situation in Lebanon continues to evolve, Hania remains committed to her mission of helping those displaced by the ongoing conflict. She is constantly looking for ways to improve the aidbot, making it more user-friendly and efficient. The project's success has inspired others to join the effort, and Hania is hopeful that the aidbot can continue to support Lebanon's most vulnerable populations in the months and years to come.

In a time of crisis, when so many feel helpless, Hania Zataari's story serves as a reminder of the impact that one person with the right skills and determination can have in making a difference.