Mobile/SMS

The United Nations Mine Action Service implements Explosive Ordnance Risk Education as one of the five pillars of mine action globally. EORE aims to reduce injuries and fatalities by raising awareness and promoting behavioral change through public information campaigns, education, training, and community liaison. Activities include SMS campaigns to all mobile users, school-based initiatives, radio broadcasts, community workshops, and International Mine Awareness Day events (April 4). UNMAS utilizes a two-way communication approach - communities inform organizations about contamination locations while organizations advise on cleared/hazardous areas. In Iraq alone, UNMAS reached 18,015 people with EORE in 2025 while removing 506 IEDs and 18,277 ERW items.

Praekelt.org's Turn.io platform powering government WhatsApp health helplines across Africa reaching 40+ million users. During COVID-19, South Africa's 'MomConnect' and 'HealthAlert' services provided automated symptom screening, vaccine information, and mental health support via WhatsApp chatbots. The platform uses conversational AI to provide 24/7 health information in local languages, with human escalation for complex queries. Extended beyond COVID to maternal health, HIV prevention, and general health information services across multiple African countries.

UNICEF's mobile engagement platform using AI chatbots to amplify youth voices globally. Launched in 2011, it connects over 39 million young people across 90+ countries via SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and other platforms. During COVID-19, U-Report chatbots disseminated factual health information and countered misinformation. The platform conducts polls on health, climate, and education, with insights shaping policies globally. In Brazil, the "Pode Falar" AI chatbot (Ariel) provides anonymous mental health support to 90,000+ young people.

Nivi is a digital health platform using AI chatbots on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger to provide personalized family planning information and support in India, Kenya, and Nigeria. Available 24/7, Nivi offers contraceptive counseling, debunks myths, provides personalized method recommendations based on user preferences, and connects users to nearby clinics. The platform uses AI and behavioral science to address the significant unmet need for modern contraceptives - estimated at 51 million couples in India alone. With 807,000+ active users in India and 3 million conversations globally, Nivi achieves a 13% referral rate to health facilities.

Khushi Baby is an Indian nonprofit leveraging AI and digital health platforms to improve maternal and child health outcomes, particularly immunization tracking in rural India. Its Community Health Integrated Platform (CHIP) provides mobile apps for 70,000+ community health workers (ASHAs/ANMs) and AI-powered dashboards for health officials. The platform tracks 800+ health indicators, identifies zero-dose children, and uses geospatial intelligence to map health inequities. Mothers in intervention areas are 1.66 times more likely to have fully immunized infants. The platform has tracked 45+ million beneficiaries across Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Lark Health is a CDC-approved AI-powered diabetes prevention program that provides 24/7 personalized coaching via smartphone. The year-long program uses conversational AI to deliver the PreventT2 curriculum through 26 educational lessons covering weight loss, physical activity, nutrition, stress management, and sleep. Members receive cellular-connected smart scales for real-time weight tracking. The AI coach uses cognitive behavioral therapy and positive psychology strategies. Studies show 40% of participants achieve 5%+ weight loss, with significant reach to rural (24%) and underserved areas (31%) lacking in-person programs.

Project Masiluleke ("give wise counsel" in Zulu) was a pioneering mobile health initiative launched in 2009 in South Africa to combat HIV/AIDS and TB. The project sent approximately 1 million daily HIV/TB messages via the unused space in "Please Call Me" (PCM) text messages - a free SMS service. Messages were culturally relevant and in local languages, connecting users to the National AIDS Helpline. The program tripled call volumes to HIV helplines and piloted TxtAlert for antiretroviral therapy adherence reminders. Later phases explored virtual call centers staffed by HIV-positive "gold star" patients and at-home HIV testing with mobile support.

Novissi is Togo's groundbreaking AI-powered mobile money cash transfer program launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program uses machine learning algorithms combined with satellite imagery and mobile phone data to identify individuals living in extreme poverty. Satellite images analyze roof material density and land plot size, while ML algorithms examine call records, internet usage, and mobile money balances to estimate individual wealth. The program distributed US$34 million to over 920,000 people (25% of Togo's adult population) using mobile money compatible with 2G phones via USSD technology, reaching those without internet access.

Wecyclers is a Lagos-based social enterprise that transformed waste management behavior in low-income communities through an innovative incentive-based model. Households receive points for every kilogram of separated recyclables, redeemable for electronics, household items, training, or cash. The company deploys cargo bikes and tricycles to navigate narrow streets in densely populated areas where municipal services are inadequate. The program has fundamentally shifted perceptions of waste from "trash" to "currency" - residents now proactively register as they see neighbors receive rewards. Wecyclers has created 80+ jobs and aims to sign up 1 million Lagos homes.

A free, anonymous digital messaging platform empowering 37 million young people in 102 countries to share opinions and drive community change. Launched in Uganda in 2011, U-Report integrates with SMS, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Telegram, Viber, and WhatsApp to reach youth where they are. During emergencies like COVID-19 and mpox outbreaks, U-Report disseminates life-saving health information. In DRC alone, over 8 million U-Reporters receive critical health, nutrition, and hygiene messages. Features include mental health chatbots, civic engagement polls, and community feedback mechanisms.

A pioneering digital sexuality education platform by RNW Media reaching 40+ million young people in countries where sex education is censored. Operating across India, Kenya, China, Egypt, and Arabic-speaking regions since 2011, Love Matters provides non-judgmental information on relationships, safe sex, STIs, and reproductive health through culturally-tailored websites and social media. In Kenya, it became one of the most-visited websites, partnering with newspapers and using music/drama for outreach. Love Matters Arabic is the only dedicated SRHR platform in the Arabic language for youth.

The BEST (Behavioral Economic Incentives to Support HIV Treatment Adherence) study in Uganda tests lottery-based incentives to overcome "present bias"—the tendency to prioritize immediate costs over long-term health benefits. Unlike costly traditional incentives ($1000+), behavioral economics-informed small, frequent prizes leverage probability overweighting. The study compares incentives tied to clinic visits/viral suppression versus electronically measured daily adherence, addressing why only ~60% of people with HIV take medications as prescribed.

Digital Green uses locally-produced agricultural videos featuring model farmers to disseminate best practices to smallholder farmers in India, Ethiopia, and other countries. The participatory video approach, combined with AI-powered FarmerChat advisories, has reached over 8 million farmers with 50%+ adoption rates. Studies show a tenfold improvement in cost-effectiveness over traditional extension.

Farm Radio International partners with over 1,200 radio stations across 37 sub-Saharan African countries to deliver agricultural information and behavior change programming to smallholder farmers. Using interactive radio formats, SMS polling (Uliza tool), and community engagement, the program reaches 45+ million people annually, with over 50% of listeners adopting new farming practices.

IOMs global Migration Health Programme ensures migrants access high-quality, culturally and linguistically appropriate health services while strengthening health systems. The programme takes a route-based approach, strategically planning interventions along migration corridors with local communities. In MENA region alone, IOM provides approximately 1 million consultations annually through health facilities and mobile clinics, conducts 34,000+ health promotion sessions, and supports immunization services. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) uses community-based, interdisciplinary approaches including psychosocial mobile teams. The programme addresses communicable diseases (TB, HIV), non-communicable diseases, and climate-related health risks. Aligned with Global Compact for Migration and SDG Goal 3.