Project overview

UN AI Smart Mission Planner's goal is to optimize humanitarians' mission planning and travel resources, to cut down on planning time, accelerate emergency response and optimize utilization of travel resources across the entire UN network and humanitarian communities.

The problem

Securing transportation and accommodation in a city is a straightforward task, but it becomes significantly complex and challenging when attempting to do so in remote, isolated deep field areas. The UN Booking Hub, managed by the World Food Programme (WFP) to serve all UN organizations, brings together important services. However, its complicated manual system for assigning resources makes it less efficient and productive. Without powerful machine learning, there is a missed chance to save costs and allocate the budget effectively, adding another layer of complexity to the already challenging humanitarian context.

The solution

The UN Booking Hub, managed by WFP, efficiently supports over 20 UN organizations and numerous humanitarian groups by streamlining critical travel logistics. This hub allows millions of humanitarian workers to book United Nations-provided services such as Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) flights, guesthouses and light and armored vehicle transportation. It plays an essential role in ensuring the safe and prompt movement of humanitarian workers to crisis areas where their help is urgently needed.

UN AI Mission Planner Screen

With the implementation of the UN AI Smart Mission Planner, the hub aims to enhance resource sharing and utilization, thus reducing waste while optimizing the planning of humanitarian missions across the entire UN network and humanitarian organisations. This AI-powered tool will suggest the shortest routes and most efficient itineraries to improve overall efficiency in resource allocation. The Smart Mission Planner uses advanced algorithms to refine search and recommendation processes. These algorithms adjust to various variables, such as changes in available drivers, accommodations, or routes, always ensuring the best possible options are recommended.

Additionally, the system is scalable, incorporating features such as integration with commercial services to extend the reach of global humanitarian travel, CO2 emission calculations for more sustainable travel practices, and real-time updates to quicken response times during emergencies. By leveraging AI and machine learning, the UN AI Smart Mission Planner not only responds to immediate logistical changes and emergency crises but also continuously improves the travel experience for humanitarian missions.

USD 10 Million
operational cost savings per year
5 Million
supported global humanitarian across the entire UN network and humanitarian communities
“Thanks to Google's expertise in AI technology, we are able to implement a proof of concept and are ready to scale across countries and UN organizations in just two months' time. We are delighted with the result and collaboration which helps more humanitarian workers to reduce mission planning time, accelerate real-time rapid responses, optimizes flights, accommodation, and transport resources to multiply efficiency and cost savings. It is also scalable to adapt to real-time changes.”
Gail Chan, Senior Innovation Manager, World Food Programme

Meet the team

Davide Picistrelli
Head Products and Services Innovation Unit
Gail Chan
Senior Innovation Manager
Last updated: 27/06/2024