Harvard Humanitarian Initiative

New research from HHI-affiliated faculty member Jarone Lee explores the development of a tactical medical chatbot designed to support clinicians and civilians in conflict zones.

Focused on the humanitarian contexts of Ukraine and Sudan, the chatbot provides medical education and guidance in Ukrainian and Arabic, helping make critical information more accessible in resource-constrained settings.

Read more at https://hhi.harvard.edu/publication/building-tactical-medical-chatbot-conflict-and-low-resource-settings-low-code-0

Over the past few months, HHI has been part of conversations across Boston focused on health equity, innovation, education, and social impact.

From the Health Equity Summit and Health Equity Trends Summit to MESH, MIT Solve, and MassBioEd events, these gatherings brought together leaders from across sectors to share ideas, build connections, and explore solutions to some of today's most pressing challenges.

We're grateful for the opportunity to learn from and engage with so many organizations working to create meaningful change.

It's been a busy spring at HHI!
Catch up on recent publications, featured courses, webinars, program updates, and more in our latest Spring Newsletter.
Read the full newsletter here: https://hhi.harvard.edu/newsletter

Please join us in welcoming our 2026 Fellows at the Forefront cohort!

Over the next 10 weeks, seven students will engage with urgent social issues through research, policy, advocacy, and community-based work as part of this innovative summer program. Through partnerships with faculty, researchers, and community organizations, fellows gain hands-on experience while exploring solutions to complex challenges.

We're excited to see what this year's cohort accomplishes and look forward to sharing their journey with our community throughout the summer.

The Harvard Humanitarian Initiative is proud to announce that Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 HHI Elisabeth B. Weintz Humanitarian Award.

The award recognizes MSF’s extraordinary commitment to delivering lifesaving medical care to people affected by conflict, disaster, epidemics, and displacement around the world.

At a time when humanitarian systems face increasing strain, MSF continues to provide independent, impartial, and needs-based care in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Their work serves as both a lifeline for affected communities and a powerful reaffirmation of humanitarian principles.

HHI looks forward to welcoming Dr. Mohamed Javid Abdelmoneim to Harvard in October 2026 to accept the award on behalf of MSF and speak with the Harvard community.

Learn more about MSF’s work: https://www.msf.org/

New research from Yvonne Su and other collaborators explores the lived experiences of Venezuelan trans women refugees in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examines how pandemic-related restrictions and longstanding discrimination created significant barriers to employment, housing, and well-being — ultimately pushing many participants toward s*x work as a means of survival. At the same time, the research highlights the innovative strategies participants developed to navigate risk, support one another, and adapt during crisis.

The paper is based on interviews with 18 Venezuelan trans women refugees and offers important insight into the intersections of displacement, gender identity, economic exclusion, and resilience.

Read the full study here:
https://hhi.harvard.edu/publication/working-pages-entrepreneurship-strategies-venezuelan-trans-women-refugees-who-enter-s*x

This week: How are the front lines of global disaster and humanitarian response faring one year after the dismantling of USAID?
Watch online, 10 am ET, May 7: https://hsph.me/HumanitarianAssistance

Applications are now open for the 2026 Urban Humanitarian Emergencies Course (UHEC) 📢

This year, UHEC is heading outside of Harvard for the first time and will be hosted in Bengaluru, India 🇮🇳

Join us July 7–10 for an in-person course bringing together leading practitioners and faculty to explore the complexities of humanitarian response in urban settings.

🎓 Scholarship opportunity
A limited number of scholarships (up to 50% off course fees) are available for up to 10 participants, supported by HowWeSurvive.

🗓 Application deadline: May 20, 2026
Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly.

🔗 Apply here: https://hsph.me/uhec2026
We’re excited to expand the global reach of UHEC and deepen conversations at the intersection of urbanization and humanitarian response.

We are proud to mark the successful completion of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative's 21st field simulation at Harold Parker State Forest. On May 3rd, 83 participants came together for an immersive, hands-on learning experience unlike any other — united by a shared commitment to advancing humanitarian response around the world. Our participants included:

- 53 graduate students from Harvard University, Tufts University, and MIT
- 30 students from the Humanitarian Response Intensive Course
- Learners representing 27 countries across the globe
- 121 volunteers from over a dozen countries

Simulations like this are at the heart of HHI's mission. They bridge the gap between theory and practice, challenging future humanitarian leaders to think critically, collaborate under pressure, and respond with both competence and compassion.

To every participant who traveled — near and far — to take part: thank you! You are the next generation of humanitarian response. To all of your new and returning volunteers: we appreciate you. The simulation could not have happened without you.