Hassan Al Sahmarani

Hassan Al Sahmarani (17), is from Lebanon. During Lebanon’s ongoing conflict, Hassan experienced displacement firsthand, watching children go missing, get separated from their families, and live in unsafe, overcrowded conditions. That fear and uncertainty stayed with him, but instead of feeling powerless, he decided to build something that could actually help.

Hassan developed Sumoud, a crisis-response web platform giving children and families access to information, communication, and safety resources during conflict. He designed it with an offline-first approach, so guides, cached content, and communication features still work even without internet access, a critical feature in crisis zones. He built a local chat system using WebSockets, letting nearby users communicate through shared networks or hotspots, and integrated real-time shelter data and news updates to keep families informed during emergencies.

Hassan first shared Sumoud with friends and family affected by displacement, providing access through local hosting and demo videos. What began as one student’s response to crisis has become a working tool designed to keep vulnerable children and families connected and safe, exactly when they need it most.