LifelineSMS

Inspiration

LifelineSMS was inspired by the harsh reality that in many disasters especially in Haiti the first thing to collapse is communication. No internet, no electricity, and no way for survivors to call for help.

We looked at previous disasters where people had basic phones but no way to reach rescue teams. The question became clear:

“Can we help people ask for aid with just a simple SMS?”

This idea was brought to life during Hack4Haiti 2025, to give disaster victims a voice even without a smartphone or internet.

What it does

Our system uses basic GSM mobile connectivity no internet, no third party APIs like Twilio. Here’s how it works

User Sends an SMS The user sends a keyword like FOOD, HELP, or MANJE (in Haitian Creole).

SMS Received via GSM Network The message is received through an SIM enabled phone or GSM modem connected to our local server.

Keyword Processing Our backend checks the SMS against a keyword database.

Automated Reply If there's a match, the system replies with pre written information (e.g., nearest food center, hotline number).

Fallback Options If there’s no match, the user receives a menu: “Reply 1 for Food, 2 for Shelter, 3 for Water…”

No Internet Needed The system runs fully offline or on local networks perfect for disaster scenarios.

Example: User sends: MANJE System replies: “Nearest food center: Croix-des-Bouquets Stadium, open 9am–5pm. Call 1234 for updates.”

Built With

business

Submitted to

Hack4Haiti

Created by

I worked on making the system easy to use for people who speak Haitian Creole by suggesting simple and local keywords like “MANJE” for food. I also helped write sample responses that are short and clear for users in crisis situations. Apart from that, I helped keep our team motivated and focused especially when we got stuck or tired. This was my first time contributing to a tech idea, and it felt amazing to be part of something meaningful.

hajira kanwal
Interested to Collab with AI in public health and infectious diseases
I worked on the strategic side of the idea defining who the target users are (like NGOs and telcos), how the system could be scaled, and what kind of business model we could use. I also helped write the pitch content and organized our ideas in a way that would make sense to investors or judges.I learned a lot about planning, communication, and creating a clear value proposition from scratch.

Muhammad Osama Nusrat
I acted as the team leader and helped develop the core concept of LifelineSMS. I designed the basic system logic how users would send SMS keywords and receive helpful replies, even without internet. I created the presentation slides and organized how we would explain the idea. It was my first time leading a team in a hackathon, and it really helped me improve my coordination and planning skills. I also presented a part of our idea during the final pitch.

PUNISHER Aadil
I focused on researching real life challenges in disaster hit areas, especially in Haiti. I looked into how people lose access to internet and smartphones during emergencies, and how SMS can be a lifesaving tool in such situations. I helped shape the user needs and story behind our solution. I also delivered the full final pitch and learned how to present an idea clearly and confidently under pressure. It was a great experience.

Hafsa Riffat