This impactful project is part of a larger partnership between Tech To The Rescue Foundation and Twilio to empower nonprofit organizations in disaster management through technology.
In Syria, this reality became tragically clear in late 2012, when the government began launching airstrikes, dropping bombs from high above on civilian homes, often in the middle of the night while people slept. These attacks, aimed at quelling growing public dissent, marked the start of an aerial assault on civilians that killed an estimated 80,000 people, injured up to 240,000, and displaced millions.
Airstrikes can devastate entire city blocks, trapping civilians beneath the rubble of their former homes. Surrounded by destruction, members of the community began running toward fires and into collapsing buildings to rescue neighbors, friends, and even strangers. By 2013, this group of former bakers, accountants, and otherwise everyday citizens formalized their efforts. Though officially called Syria Civil Defence, they are better known worldwide as the White Helmets, named for the distinctive helmets that became their only real uniform. Over time, the group has grown into a vital force for emergency response, with more than 3,200 staff and volunteers operating across 126 centers, primarily in Northern Syria.
The White Helmets are guided by a principle from the Quran: To save a life is to save all of humanity. For them, it doesn’t matter what beliefs you hold, what religion you follow, or what side of the conflict you are on- if you are a human being in need, your life is worth saving.
“When I want to save someone’s life I don’t care if he was an enemy or a friend,” said Abed, a twenty-one-year-old member of the White Helmets. “What concerns me is to save the soul that might die.” Qasem, another member of the White Helmets, adds,”if one person is alive, that is enough for us to take the risk.”
Tech Solutions in a Non-Technical World
At first, the White Helmets relied on a complex system of human lookouts, walkie-talkies, and manually activated sirens whenever disaster struck. But each step ate up valuable seconds and minutes. Time that wasn’t spent evacuating, bringing your family to safety, or even just having those extra two seconds to grab your most treasured possession before it’s lost forever.
That is why the White Helmets came to Tech To The Rescue with the need to create a mobile application that would streamline the communication process. Thanks to a partnership with Twilio and Tech To The Rescue’s growing network of tech companies, the White Helmets and a few dozen other nonprofits in the Middle East are receiving help to multiply their impact using technology.
We matched the White Helmets with Cloud Primero, a leading digital transformation company based in the Netherlands, who is committed to engage in pro-bono projects for nonprofits. The two organisations worked together to developed a custom mobile application designed to enhance the White Helmets’ interventions and significantly decreasing response times. At the core of this solution is an Early Warning System (EWS), which provides real-time, customizable alerts about military activities and chemical attacks, delivering critical, location-specific information to citizens. Additionally, the app integrates emergency reporting, automated dispatch, and real-time communication features, creating a streamlined process that enables faster and more efficient responses during crises.
In addition to speeding up outgoing information, the mobile app also enables citizens to report emergencies and request assistance, specifying their location and emergency type, be it rescue, firefighting, or chemical threats, through text, voice, or video. This access to real-time, accurate information has reduced response times by up to 40%, showing how even basic digital tools can transform the way communities navigate crises.
The Power of Scaling: Deploying White Helmets’ Solutions for Natural Disasters
While the White Helmets’ app was custom-built for Syria’s unique landscape, the broader implications of its success are profound. Their EWS was originally designed to warn against bomb attacks, but now Syria, like many parts of the world, is also seeing an increased number of natural disasters. This has pushed the White Helmets to return to Tech To The Rescue through the AI for Changemakers program to add climate and disaster relief to its EWS application.
“It’s not acceptable that, after 13 years of crisis, the same camps are still being destroyed by floods, ” said Ahmed Ekzayez, a spokesperson for the White Helmets. “Anticipatory action and disaster preparedness are key priorities for us now.”
Early warning systems like this have repeatedly proven to reduce fatalities and damages by up to 30%. Globally, such systems have offered critical hours for evacuation in regions experiencing floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. Yet, despite their proven effectiveness, over one-third of the global population, particularly those in the least developed regions, still lack access to such systems. Even with the UN’s commitment to provide early warnings for all by 2027, as of 2023, only 52% of countries are covered. The foundational technology of White Helmets’ app can be adapted to meet the needs of countless other regions worldwide, creating the possibility for a safer future through proactive community-based disaster management.
The Tech for Middle East Program
This collaboration is part of a larger “Tech for Middle East” program launched by Tech To The Rescue with support of Twilio in 2023.
“We focus on what we do best,” says Andrzej Mikolajewski, Crisis Response Program Manager at Tech To The Rescue. We connect local organizations in affected or crisis-prone areas with technology companies that can help them develop innovative projects to operate more effectively and save more lives. Since early 2023, we have been actively present in the Middle East, beginning with reconstruction efforts after the earthquake in Turkey. Currently, we are focusing on organizations in Syria, Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon. So far, we’ve supported more than 30 organizations with pro bono projects valued at over $700,000, and new matches are being made every month.”
This work is part of a broader effort to ensure technology becomes a lifeline for those in need, empowering nonprofits to better serve their communities.
“While activating the local community of technology companies, we also have in mind the scenario of creating a regional counterpart of our organization,” Andrzej continues. “This would utilize our know-how and experience, while being independent and strictly oriented to work in the Middle East.”
Continued Support and Urgent Action
In a world increasingly defined by crises, the work of organizations like the White Helmets and partners like Tech To The Rescue is more critical than ever. The Middle East is an intricate web of conflicts, with escalating tensions in Lebanon, Gaza, and other regions likely to spill over and intensify the strain on communities. Natural disasters, economic hardships, and political instability continue to compound these challenges, creating urgent needs that can only be addressed with fast, adaptable, and culturally aware solutions.
Thanks to the invaluable support of Twilio and other tech partners, Tech To The Rescue has helped lay a powerful foundation. Jacek Siadkowski, Tech To The Rescue’s CEO, reflects on this pressing need.
“While the outlook may seem bleak, AI and technology offer a very real opportunity to minimize the impact of these disasters. When I look at the nonprofits in our AI for Changemakers Disaster Management and Climate Cohorts, I am reminded of why supporting these efforts is urgent. These organizations are our frontline defense against a future that’s becoming increasingly unpredictable.”, Siadkowski says.
The challenges are immense, but so is the opportunity for change. Tech To The Rescue has already demonstrated that scalable solutions, led by local communities and supported by tech, can transform lives. But expanding these solutions to reach more regions and meet emerging needs requires unwavering commitment from those who recognize the urgency of our mission. With continued backing, we can extend the reach of pro bono tech initiatives, equipping nonprofits to prepare, respond, and recover with unprecedented speed and impact.
As we look to the future, let us remember that the true power of technology lies in its potential to serve those who need it most. Together, we can bridge the gap between innovation and humanity, ensuring that technology becomes a lifeline for communities in conflict.
Tech To The Rescue is more than just a facilitator; it’s a global movement inviting tech companies to make impact investments through pro-bono collaborations with nonprofits like the White Helmets. Every tech company has the power to drive social change, and through partnerships like these, the possibilities are endless. Join the movement!
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