Innovation Towards Humanitarian Challenges · 2023
Disaster Hackathon 1.0
Bangladesh's first-ever disaster hackathon brought young innovators together with disaster and technical experts to build solutions to humanitarian challenges using open map data and free and open-source technologies.
36
teams submitted ideas
20
disaster challenges to choose from
15
teams mentored in the CHECK stage
8
finalists built prototypes
Organised with
- FOREWARN Bangladesh
- Open Mapping Hub – Asia Pacific
- Bangladesh Open Innovation Lab
- YouthMappers Bangladesh
- Start Network
About Hackathon 1.0
What happened
FOREWARN Disaster Hackathon 1.0 was hosted by FOREWARN Bangladesh in partnership with Open Mapping Hub – Asia Pacific. Over three months, university students, graduates, developers and independent researchers worked in teams of two to seven to tackle one of 20 disaster challenges, from early warning systems and crisis communication to resilient infrastructure and disaster supply chains.
Teams were mentored by FOREWARN disaster experts, technical experts from the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team and mentors from their own universities. Along the way they tested their ideas with government agencies, NGOs, the private sector and the communities they aimed to serve.
The hackathon also laid the foundation for the FOREWARN Youth Pool: promising participants were invited to join FOREWARN as Youth Experts.
The journey
Results
The winners
After eight-minute prototype presentations and questions from the jury, three teams were chosen as the best of Disaster Hackathon 1.0. Prizes were given as gifts in kind, in keeping with the humanitarian spirit of the hackathon.
Team name to be confirmed
University to be confirmed
Solution summary to be confirmed
Gifts in kind worth BDT 70,000
Team name to be confirmed
University to be confirmed
Solution summary to be confirmed
Gifts in kind worth BDT 60,000
Team name to be confirmed
University to be confirmed
Solution summary to be confirmed
Gifts in kind worth BDT 50,000
Finalists
Meet the top 8
Eight teams reached the CULTIVATE stage and built working prototypes, supported by FOREWARN and Open Mapping Hub mentors.
Photo: Team MR
Team MR
Institute of Water and Flood Management, BUET
A warning system for communities in north-eastern Bangladesh facing pre-monsoon flash floods.
Team: Maruf Ahmed, Sharfaraj Khadem Rafi
Photo: ReliefChain
ReliefChain
Islamic University of Technology (IUT)
An app for transparent, secure fundraising, fair distribution of funds and collaboration between donors and volunteers.
Team: Anonno, Nowma, Tanmoy, Maman, Labiba, Prianka
Photo: Analytical Avengers
Analytical Avengers
Jahangirnagar University
A data-driven model to predict rainfall during tropical cyclones early, so that resources can be allocated faster.
Team: Member names to be confirmed
Photo: Team Conqueror
Team Conqueror
Pabna University of Science and Technology
Social media integration for disaster resilience, providing real-time data and linking communities to local experts.
Team: Member names to be confirmed
Photo: Team Optimizers
Team Optimizers
Pabna University of Science and Technology
Floating houses for people affected by disasters.
Team: Sabbir Islam, Sohel Rana, Saifur Rahman, Abdur Rahman, Sadit Alom, Anika Tabassum, Moriam Islam Tonima
Photo: Pentagon BD
Pentagon BD
Jahangirnagar University
Better cyclone risk indexing, anticipation and risk management planning to reduce damage in coastal areas.
Team: Sharmin Akther, Ayesha Siddiqa, Nusrat Jahan Borna, Arafatujjahara Suma, Nasir Uddin
Photo: Team Nirvik
Team Nirvik
Jahangirnagar University, Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology, University of Dhaka
A web and mobile app with infographics on flood susceptibility and vulnerability.
Team: Farabi, Trishun, Sarafat, Faisal Hasan, Sefat, Shah Nawaz
Photo: Team Thunder
Team Thunder
University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology
Automatic heatwave early warning alerts and a heat shelter locator for children, older people and low-income families.
Team: Joy, Abid, Mehrish, Zijan, Sumon, Naeem
Gallery
Moments from the edition
Photo: Group photo, CULTIVATE workshop
Photo: Virtual kick-off
Photo: Mentoring session
Photo: Prototype build, Ashulia
Photo: Jury presentations
Photo: Awards ceremony, 5 Oct 2023
Testimonials
In their words
Quote to be added by the FOREWARN team.
Quote to be added by the FOREWARN team.
Quote to be added by the FOREWARN team.
Video
Watch the story
Hear from the participants, organisers and judges about how Bangladesh's first disaster hackathon came together, from the first ideas to the final prototypes.