Over 10,000 families. One disaster. And the tech-driven response that changed everything.

In this episode, Dana Yaari talks to Christoph Gorder from Airbnb.org and Maribel Marin from 211 LA to discuss their partnership during the 2025 LA wildfires. Together, they navigated chaos, coordinated across teams, and faced overwhelming demand, all while under immense pressure.

Christoph and Maribel share the challenges they encountered, how they stayed organized during the crisis, and why trust was essential to their response. You’ll hear how their collaboration helped deliver housing to evacuees and scale operations to shelter more than 10,000 families.

You’ll learn:

• The power of rapid coordination between tech and nonprofit organizations
• Overcoming logistical challenges when responding to large-scale crises
• The human aspect behind tech-driven disaster responses

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Welcome to Digital Humanitarian, Christoph Gorder & Maribel Marin

(01:31) How the LA wildfires happened

(04:00) Quick coordination in disaster relief

(06:07) Airbnb.org’s role in the LA fires

(08:24) Giving evacuees housing choices

(10:01) Housing challenges with pets and families

(12:57) Identifying victims who are most vulnerable

(16:00) Collaboration between Airbnb.org and 211 LA

(18:49) Logistical hurdles of matching housing needs

(21:09) Trust and transparency in partnerships

(23:29) Keeping up with the demand surge

(25:59) Data collection for long-term support

(28:29) Looking ahead: Housing solutions beyond LA

Resources:

• Connect with Christoph
• Learn more about Airbnb.org
• Connect with Maribel
• Learn more about 211 LA
• Connect with Dana
• Learn more about mondayERT

What happens when the humanitarian system built to help… doesn’t?

In this episode of Digital Humanitarian, host Dana Yaari talks with Abril Páez, Director at Proyecto Concentrarte, who shares her experience responding to the 2021 Haiti earthquake.

It’s a story about what happens when traditional disaster response systems fall short—and how, in the face of chaos, a simple tech solution sparked a more human-centered approach.

Abril explains how bureaucracy and outdated models often slow aid efforts, but also how basic digital tools, such as WhatsApp and spreadsheets, helped local responders cut through the noise, coordinate effectively, and reclaim their agency.

This episode explores how even the simplest technologies can create resilience, restore trust, and shift control back to the communities most affected.

What you’ll learn:

• Why traditional coordination models hold back progress and action
• How simple digital tools can democratize disaster response
• Why simple tech leads to more trusted and inclusive coordination and collaboration

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Welcome to Digital Humanitarian, Abril Páez

(02:54) What broken coordination looks like in crisis

(05:09) When bureaucracy gets in the way of helping others

(06:25) How WhatsApp and spreadsheets saved the day

(08:56) Why local responders must lead emergency efforts

(11:25) How one mission reshaped Abril’s view of aid work

(14:26) Giving communities tools to report what they need

(16:25) Real-time data helps turn chaos into action

(18:59) Shifting power to those closest to the crisis

(23:05) Recovery starts when locals call the shots

(28:29): Closing remarks

Resources:

• Connect with Abril
• Learn more about Proyecto Concentrarte
• Connect with Dana
• Learn more about mondayERT