IHRR
Aug 16,2024
FOREWARN Start Network, in partnership with Green Decision Labs and Research (GD Labs) and the Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction (IHRR), proudly presents Nepal’s first-ever FOREWARN Disaster Hackathon. This initiative aims to inspire and empower young minds to create innovative solutions to pressing humanitarian challenges. The primary objective of the hackathon is to enhance the capacities of young professionals and enthusiasts in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Anticipatory Action (AA), equipping them to implement these critical actions at local levels.
Start Fund Nepal (SFN), hosted by CARE Nepal, is a Start Network program launched in June 2021. It’s a financing mechanism developed by 15 international and 16 local NGOs in Nepal, with support from the global Start Fund and the UK FCDO. SFN follows a 45-day implementation cycle, enabling rapid decision-making within 72 hours of a crisis alert and action within 7 days. Recently, SFN expanded its focus with FOREWARN, a network aimed at enhancing disaster forecasting and early action through collaboration with multidisciplinary experts.
SFN plays a crucial role in delivering rapid, localized humanitarian responses in Nepal. Through its FOREWARN initiative, SFN promotes Anticipatory Action (AA) by helping members raise alerts, disseminating resources, providing forecast information, and conducting capacity-building exercises. However, challenges in deploying timely assistance remain, particularly in logistics, identifying affected households, and procurement, which are often agency-specific and lack creative solutions.
Despite the growing recognition of AA as vital for disaster resilience, gaps in coordination, evidence, resource allocation, and community engagement lead to suboptimal outcomes, leaving vulnerable communities at risk. The FAO estimates that every dollar invested in AA yields seven dollars in benefits, yet communities struggle to access funds, execute plans, and utilize forecasting.
The FOREWARN Disaster Hackathon is a pioneering project that seeks to advance disaster risk management and anticipatory action in Nepal. By engaging university students and researchers, the hackathon encourages the development of cutting-edge prototypes that leverage technology to predict, prepare for, and respond to natural disasters. Participants will tackle key challenges such as hazard forecasting, risk monitoring, and disaster relief management, with the ultimate goal of making a tangible impact on disaster preparedness and response in Nepal.
This initiative not only fosters the development of practical solutions but also seeks to build a vibrant community of young innovators dedicated to improving disaster risk management in their country. The hackathon will culminate in a workshop where the top teams will present their prototypes, with the potential for further development and real-world implementation.
GD Labs is a research and innovation lab dedicated to building climate resilience in Nepal through the development of innovative, user-centric climate technologies. GD Labs specializes in fostering partnerships, networking among national and international stakeholders, and applying a design-centric approach to creating sustainable solutions. The organization has a strong track record of turning ideas into successful interventions in areas like urban mobility, waste management, and climate adaptation.
IHRR is a non-profit organization focused on preparing risk-informed societies for disaster resilience and sustainable development. Committed to the principles of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, IHRR bridges academic research with practical applications, promoting science-based decision-making in DRR. The institute has developed several tools for Anticipatory Action, including alerts for landslides, heatwaves, and cold waves, and continues to lead innovative efforts in disaster risk reduction across Nepal.
GD Labs, along with IHRR are working as consultants for this event to embrace the creativities and innovations of students and academia who are at the forefront of technological and research innovations. Some ideas could include the use of Machine Learning and AI in the field of AA to identify at-risk communities ahead of the crisis scenarios or develop models and frameworks to validate and contextualize regional forecasting models in Nepal.
The major objective of this Hackathon is to raise and strengthen capacities of young DRR professionals and enthusiasts in Anticipatory Action, helping them eventually implement these actions and their compounding pillars at their local levels.
FAQs about FOREWARN Disaster Hackathon Nepal
What is FOREWARN Disaster Hackathon Nepal?
The FOREWARN Disaster Hackathon Nepal is an initiative by Start Network aimed at advancing citizen science in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and anticipatory action (AA) through a collaborative problem-solving event. It is designed to engage youth and young professionals in developing innovative solutions to disaster challenges in Nepal.
Who can participate in the Hackathon?
The hackathon is open to students, young professionals, researchers, practitioners and enthusiasts in disaster risk reduction, climate action, environmental sciences, and related fields. Participants should have a strong interest in anticipatory action and disaster preparedness. Participants from any background can challenge this Hackathon, however should be able develop a solution towards the existing problem. The participating team can be composed of a Single individual, or a group of individuals or a group of organizations as well. This should be clearly stated in the submission window.
What is the main objective of the Hackathon?
The main objective is to raise capacities of youth and young professionals in Disaster Risk Management and Anticipatory action by fostering innovation, collaboration, and practical solution development.
Who is organizing this Hackathon Event?
This event is an initiative of Start Network, a network of aid agencies across the world, working together to revolutionize the global humanitarian system. It is planned, coordinated and organized in Nepal by Green Decision Labs & Research Pvt. Ltd. (GDLabs) in a joint venture with Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction (IHRR).
