Hamal Ezrahi (Civil Emergency HQ)
Hamal Ezrahi (Civil Emergency HQ)
A Lifeline for Evacuees: A Hybrid Network Delivering Aid in a National Crisis
A Lifeline for Evacuees: A Hybrid Network Delivering Aid in a National Crisis
Hamal Ezrahi is a civilian initiative providing support to refugees. As a Project Manager for community solutions, I led the development of a communication platform that improved access to critical information and helped integrate thousands of people into local support networks.
Hamal Ezrahi is a civilian initiative providing support to refugees. As a Project Manager for community solutions, I led the development of a communication platform that improved access to critical information and helped integrate thousands of people into local support networks.
Role | Project Manager (Community Solutions)
Role | Project Manager (Community Solutions)
Scope | Understand community needs, define the platform concept, lead design and development, and drive adoption.
Product | Understand community needs, define the platform concept, lead design and development, and drive adoption
Scope | Understand community needs, define the platform concept, lead design and development, and drive adoption
Problem & Context
Problem & Context
Over 40,000 refugees needed a reliable way to receive up‑to‑date, relevant information and connect with local resources.
Existing channels were scattered, hard to navigate, and did not scale with demand.
Over 40,000 refugees needed a reliable way to receive up‑to‑date, relevant information and connect with local resources.
Existing channels were scattered, hard to navigate, and did not scale with demand.
Research & Community Discovery
Research & Community Discovery
Spoke with refugees, volunteers, and coordinators to understand information needs, physical and mental barriers, and device access.
Collected feedback on existing communication methods (WhatsApp groups, ad‑hoc announcements, physical flyers).
Synthesized findings into key themes: information overload, lack of centralization, and difficulty finding relevant updates.
Spoke with refugees, volunteers, and coordinators to understand information needs, physical and mental barriers, and device access.
Collected feedback on existing communication methods (WhatsApp groups, ad‑hoc announcements, physical flyers).
Synthesized findings into key themes: information overload, lack of centralization, and difficulty finding relevant updates.
Designing the Communication Platform
Designing the Communication Platform
Defined core use cases (e.g., “find nearby support”, “receive urgent updates”, “discover community events”).
Collaborated with design and engineering to create a centralized, easy‑to‑navigate platform that surfaced the most critical information first.
Ensured the experience was accessible on common devices and aligned with language and accessibility needs.
Defined core use cases (e.g., “find nearby support”, “receive urgent updates”, “discover community events”).
Collaborated with design and engineering to create a centralized, easy‑to‑navigate platform that surfaced the most critical information first.
Ensured the experience was accessible on common devices and aligned with language and accessibility needs.
Implementation & Adoption
Implementation & Adoption
Coordinated with community leaders to roll out the platform and onboard users.
Collected ongoing feedback from users and stakeholders to refine content structure and communication cadence.
Integrated learnings into subsequent platform updates to ensure the experience stayed relevant as needs evolved.
Coordinated with community leaders to roll out the platform and onboard users.
Collected ongoing feedback from users and stakeholders to refine content structure and communication cadence.
Integrated learnings into subsequent platform updates to ensure the experience stayed relevant as needs evolved.
Outcomes & Impact
Outcomes & Impact
+ 75% Improvement in Information Accessibility
The new platform made it significantly easier for refugees to find and receive the information they needed.
70% Adoption Rate
A large portion of the target population actively used the platform to stay informed and connected.
Hundreds Integrated into Local Networks
The platform played a key role in connecting refugees to local support communities and services.
+ 75% Improvement in Information Accessibility
The new platform made it significantly easier for refugees to find and receive the information they needed.
70% Adoption Rate
A large portion of the target population actively used the platform to stay informed and connected.
Hundreds Integrated into Local Networks
The platform played a key role in connecting refugees to local support communities and services.
Shaped Product Definition
PRD became the foundation for design, pricing, and technical scope, reducing uncertainty across teams.
Accelerated Development
Developer‑ready assets and clear flows allowed engineering to start implementation earlier and with fewer blockers.
Acquired First Revenue
The GTM strategy and pricing work contributed to signing the first paying customers for the API Index and validating the product’s market potential.
Learnings & Reflections
Learnings & Reflections
Designing for vulnerable populations requires balancing urgency, clarity, and empathy.
Community‑driven feedback loops are essential to ensure that what is built truly reflects the evolving needs on the ground.
