Faizaan Ahmed
24 October 2026
Nanotechnology Implementations in the Field of International Policy
Technology is an evolving resource, controlled by many, yet honed by none. Companies focus on forming weapons of mass destruction, yet within the UNHCR and the provision of humanitarian aid, technology seems to be transparent. Surveillance drones have been used for targeted strikes in wars, recovering a soldier, or locating a target zone. However, when was the last time we used drones to help those suffering in a war? The latest policy within the U.N. regarding drones was the UN Office of Humanitarian Affairs article on a framework detailing the rise of armed drones, which pose threats to search and rescue teams. The delivery of medical supplies is governed by individual government bodies, alongside companies that perform these medical supply drops. This needs to change; laws need to change, and more importantly, international policy needs to change. The technology is available; all we are waiting for are our world leaders to put that signature on paper.
Medical delivery and supply drops are something of increasing importance, especially whilst analyzing current world conflicts. Currently, Zipline is a major medical supply corporation that delivers vaccines in Ghana and Rwanda. The company, along with vaccine payloads, delivers retail items and groceries, meaning its main scope isn’t targeted at medical care, but rather delivery logistics. The implementation of this system, with modular drone technology or perhaps even future nanotechnology, is crucial to ensure ongoing refugee tasks are handled with the greatest expertise for the survival of the people. This is possible today with modular drone technology from engineers at the University of Pennsylvania. They have created a drone system capable of connecting midair to form a larger object, using a cuboid frame and smaller aerial devices on the inner portion. Reaffirming this technology in collaboration with world governments will not only provide a drone capable of deploying loads ranging from small vaccines to large payloads of provisions or medical supplies. Furthermore, improving the range of these aerial devices will ensure the operator is safe while operating in active war zones or other U.N. led operations. This technology has been researched since 2012, and fourteen years later, further discussion of this technology in the emerging field of refugee tactics will not only improve U.N. operations in other countries, but open discussions for sending these drones in to deliver provisions in active war zones through the deliberation of various international policies.
Not only are deliveries important, but locating refugees needs to be taken into account as well. The technology is available, and the U.N. currently uses it, however, the legality of where they can use UAVs to map and locate people of interest is where it all falls apart. The inability to enter active war zones such as the Gaza Strip not only prevents the saving of multiple lives, but also prevents the delivery of provisions. The law requiring the corresponding government to “give permission” undermines the capabilities of current technology and future technology. This calls for a new policy to override the current one, based on the conflict itself. In the Palestine-Israel conflict, aerial device usage and provision delivery are extremely difficult due to the specific circumstances, and hundreds die every day due to attacks and the destruction of homes, burying them in rubble. Modular drone systems can be used to enter smaller spaces, merge to deliver medical supplies if required, or even improve range capabilities. Black Hornet, created by Teledyne, is an aerial surveillance device in the shape of a helicopter, used by the U.S. military for hostage rescue. This technology was released in 2016, meaning its surveillance tech can be upgraded further to adapt to the world today and the future ahead of us.
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Policy is the major concern here. All the tech is currently available, and the research to maximize capabilities is capable, so the only thing left to consider is policy. The requirement for a new framework to improve research in technological operations in refugee affairs will allow for surveillance and payload-delivery nano devices or current modular devices to be implemented in certain situations where permission from the corresponding government risks the lives of refugees or U.N. peacekeepers. Policy is the trigger that will help millions, and a policy outlining this requirement will possibly require the creation of a new committee or the collaboration of multiple U.N. committees. This is not just a matter of technology, but a matter of diplomacy.
With the technology in our hands, the research capabilities minutes away, the future is in the hands of this new policy. Delegates, I call for the creation of the Aerial Surveillance and Delivery (ASD) treaty to ensure research in the technology meets current standards and the security of nations isn’t compromised, yet those who need our help are not ignored either.
Works Cited
“ModQuad: Assembling Structures in Midair.” GRASP Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, www.grasp.upenn.edu/projects/modquad-assembling-structures-in-midair/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
“NanoSAR — Synthetic-Aperture Radar (SAR) Payload Available from Insitu.” Military & Aerospace Electronics, 24 Feb. 2010, www.militaryaerospace.com/commercial-aerospace/article/14224669/nanosarsynthetic-aperture-radar-sar-payload-available-from-insitu. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
“Teledyne FLIR Black Hornet.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teledyne_FLIR_Black_Hornet. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
