Introduction
Introduction
Emergency App for Refugees in Gaza
Emergency App for Refugees in Gaza
Ongoing conflict has displaced hundred of thousands of Palestinians. They need access to verified aid, safe routes, emergency help and access to food and water. Often with no internet and limited power.
Ongoing conflict has displaced hundred of thousands of Palestinians. They need access to verified aid, safe routes, emergency help and access to food and water. Often with no internet and limited power.
Goal
Goal
Design a lightweight mobile app that helps civilians find safety, aid and support in real time. With access to offline support.
Design a lightweight mobile app that helps civilians find safety, aid and support in real time. With access to offline support.
Year
Year
2025
2025
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
“Palestinians in Gaza struggle to access timely, verified aid information due to communication blackouts, safety risks and language barriers.”
“Palestinians in Gaza struggle to access timely, verified aid information due to communication blackouts, safety risks and language barriers.”
Key User Needs
Key User Needs
Offline access to aid and safety information.
Map of food, water and medical centers.
Multilingual or icon based UI.
Emergency alert button.
Trustworthy verified information.
Offline access to aid and safety information.
Map of food, water and medical centers.
Multilingual or icon based UI.
Emergency alert button.
Trustworthy verified information.
Design Challenge
Design Challenge
How might we create a humanitarian app that provides trusted, life saving information? And how do we approach this considering many Palestinians are under constant stress, different literacy levels and without the access to internet 24/7?
How might we create a humanitarian app that provides trusted, life saving information? And how do we approach this considering many Palestinians are under constant stress, different literacy levels and without the access to internet 24/7?
Research
Research
Desk Research
UNRWA, Amnesty, ICRC and real news reports on Gaza (Al Jazeera, AJ +)
Desk Research
UNRWA, Amnesty, ICRC and real news reports on Gaza (Al Jazeera, AJ +)
Personas Created
Amina (29, displaced mother of 2, Arabic only, low digital literacy).
Omar (23, Gazan volunteer helping coordinate aid).
Personas Created
Amina (29, displaced mother of 2, Arabic only, low digital literacy).
Omar (23, Gazan volunteer helping coordinate aid).
Summary
Summary
UX Design priorities based on empathy map
Language first: Arabic interface with voice or visual support.
Low bandwidth mode: Offline data, lightweight design.
Trust signals: Info verified by NGOs or UN agencies.
Quick access: Minimal taps to access food, shelter and medical locations.
Emotional design: Calming visuals, culturally appropriate UI, zero clutter.
Accessibility: Visual icons for key services like food, water, medicine and SOS.
UX Design priorities based on empathy map
Language first: Arabic interface with voice or visual support.
Low bandwidth mode: Offline data, lightweight design.
Trust signals: Info verified by NGOs or UN agencies.
Quick access: Minimal taps to access food, shelter and medical locations.
Emotional design: Calming visuals, culturally appropriate UI, zero clutter.
Accessibility: Visual icons for key services like food, water, medicine and SOS.
Site Map
Site Map
Visual Design 01
Visual Design 01
Color Palette
Color Palette
Visual Design 02
Visual Design 02
Font Choice
Font Choice
Screens 01
Screens 01
Aid Map
Aid Map
Screens 01.1
Screens 01.1
Aid Map
Aid Map
Screens 02
Screens 02
Custom Request
Custom Request
Impact
Impact
Life Saving Information Access
Life Saving Information Access
By providing evacuation routes, first aid tips and verified safety alerts, this app could help civilians make critical decisions even when theres no internet or power avaiable.
By providing evacuation routes, first aid tips and verified safety alerts, this app could help civilians make critical decisions even when theres no internet or power avaiable.
Faster Emergency Response
Faster Emergency Response
The SOS feature allows civilians to send alerts with minimal input. Aid workers like Omar could quickly come to the rescue being informed using the app.
The SOS feature allows civilians to send alerts with minimal input. Aid workers like Omar could quickly come to the rescue being informed using the app.
Reducing Chaos and Misinformation
Reducing Chaos and Misinformation
Misinformation spreads fast. With a verified by NGO badge on alerts and checkpoints, users can trust the source, lowering panic and confusion.
Misinformation spreads fast. With a verified by NGO badge on alerts and checkpoints, users can trust the source, lowering panic and confusion.
Reflections
Reflections
Designing for Crisis is Different
Designing for Crisis is Different
Normal UX emphasises engagement and aesthetics, but crisis UX emphasises speed, clarity and survival. I learned to take a step back to strip away unnecessary complexity and simplifying the flow throughout the app.
Normal UX emphasises engagement and aesthetics, but crisis UX emphasises speed, clarity and survival. I learned to take a step back to strip away unnecessary complexity and simplifying the flow throughout the app.
Limitations Aknowledged
Limitations Aknowledged
This is a UX concept and not a deployed system. Without NGO partnership and real data, makes the real impact limited. Theres also a risk that the information is outdated or wrong, people could be put in danger. Responsible handoff to humanitarian partners is essential.
This is a UX concept and not a deployed system. Without NGO partnership and real data, makes the real impact limited. Theres also a risk that the information is outdated or wrong, people could be put in danger. Responsible handoff to humanitarian partners is essential.
The Road Ahead
The Road Ahead
I would like to partner up with NGOs for real-time verified data integration.
Test prototypes with the Palestinian diaspora or aid workers to refine flows.
Explore mesh networking/ SMS based backups for SOS in blackouts.
Build a lightweight pilot version for Android and IOS
I would like to partner up with NGOs for real-time verified data integration.
Test prototypes with the Palestinian diaspora or aid workers to refine flows.
Explore mesh networking/ SMS based backups for SOS in blackouts.
Build a lightweight pilot version for Android and IOS
“This project showed me that design is not just about usability, but about dignity, trust and survival. UX for crisis isn’t about delight, it’s about making every tap count when peoples lives depend on it.”
“This project showed me that design is not just about usability, but about dignity, trust and survival. UX for crisis isn’t about delight, it’s about making every tap count when peoples lives depend on it.”
