Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Religious Humanitarian Aid for Achieving Sustainable Communication Frameworks in Sierra Leone

Abstract

The global humanitarian landscape is increasingly being shaped by digital technologies, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) offering unprecedented capabilities for data analysis, pattern recognition, and automated communication. However, the integration of AI within the unique operational and ethical frameworks of Religious Non-Governmental Organizations (RNGOs) remains underexplored. This study therefore investigates the perceptions, opportunities, and challenges of integrating AI tools into the humanitarian communication strategies of RNGOs operating in Sierra Leone. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining a quantitative survey of 150 staff from major RNGOs (including World Vision, Caritas, Catholic Relief Services, and Islamic Relief) with qualitative semi-structured interviews with 15 senior programme and communication managers. A reliability test using Cronbach's Alpha confirmed the internal consistency of the survey instrument (α = 0.89). The study reveals that religious NGOs enjoy high community trust (85% of respondents), positioning them as ideal intermediaries for AI-enabled humanitarian communication. The findings also indicate a strong recognition of AI's potential for predictive analytics in disaster response (82%) and natural language processing for community feedback (75%). However, significant barriers were identified, including infrastructural deficits (90%), data privacy concerns, ethical frameworks aligned with both humanitarian principles and religious values (85%). AI can significantly augment the humanitarian communication efforts of RNGOs in Sierra Leone. Successful integration requires a context-sensitive approach that prioritizes capacity building, ethical frameworks for data use, and strategic partnerships between RNGOs, AI developers, and government agencies to ensure that AI serves as a tool for inclusive and sustainable development that respect local cultural and religious contexts while advancing Sierra Leone's development goals.