Detecting Refugee Presence Using Satellite Imagery in Lebanon

MASAE Analytics conducted a pioneering study to detect and estimate the presence of Syrian refugees in Lebanon using satellite imagery and artificial intelligence. The project addressed the challenge of monitoring informal settlements in a context where many refugees live outside official camps.

Why This Matters

Accurate data on refugee populations is vital for humanitarian planning and resource allocation. Traditional methods often miss informal settlements, leaving vulnerable groups underserved. Satellite-based detection offers a scalable, objective alternative.

Our Approach

  • Remote Sensing and AI:
    Leveraged high-resolution satellite imagery and machine learning algorithms to identify and quantify informal refugee settlements.

  • Data Science Analysis:
    Processed and validated findings to ensure accuracy and reliability.

  • Collaboration:
    Worked with humanitarian partners to integrate results into operational planning.

Results and Impact

The study enabled more effective targeting of aid and support, ensuring that even those in informal settlements were accounted for in humanitarian responses.

MASAE provided granular geomarketing insights for mobile network operators (MNOs) and mobile money providers in East Africa. The project aimed to help operators better understand where they could acquire customers, optimise staffing, and boost usage, despite often having only regional-level statistics on their users.

MASAE provided granular geomarketing insights for mobile network operators (MNOs) and mobile money providers in East Africa. The project aimed to help operators better understand where they could acquire customers, optimise staffing, and boost usage, despite often having only regional-level statistics on their users.

MASAE Analytics was tasked by the World Bank to develop a dashboard highlighting the most important findings from a household survey on the use of mobile money services in Somalia. The interactive platform enabled users to analyse and visualise key trends, supporting evidence-based policy and programme design.

MASAE Analytics was tasked by the World Bank to develop a dashboard highlighting the most important findings from a household survey on the use of mobile money services in Somalia. The interactive platform enabled users to analyse and visualise key trends, supporting evidence-based policy and programme design.