Participate in the Disaster Response and Recovery Systems Hackathon, where developers, innovators, and problem-solvers will create cutting-edge solutions using Telecom APIs like SMS, USSD, Airtime, and Data Bundles to tackle challenges in disaster management. This hands-on event offers a unique opportunity to build applications that work in low-connectivity environments, providing life-saving tools in the face of emergencies. Teams will compete to design, prototype, and present their solutions to a panel of experts, with the chance to win prizes and support for further development.

Solutions that can be built:

1.  Emergency Alerts and Communication: Develop an SMS-based or USSD emergency alert system that sends real-time disaster warnings, evacuation instructions, and safety updates to affected communities, even in areas with only 2G connectivity.
2. Resource Distribution Tracking: Using USSD and SMS-based tracking, relief agencies can monitor and coordinate the distribution of aid, ensuring that resources reach those in need by collecting and updating distribution data without requiring high-speed internet.
   
3. Crowdsourced Damage and Need Reporting:  Create a USSD or SMS platform where citizens can report damage to infrastructure, request assistance, or share their location. This data can then be aggregated to help disaster response teams allocate resources efficiently.
   
4. Digital Cash and Airtime Donations: Develop a system where organizations or individuals can donate airtime or send mobile money to disaster victims via USSD, enabling recipients to purchase essentials or access critical services using their phones.
   
5. Offline Health and First Aid Guidance:  Create  an SMS-based health advice system where survivors can request medical tips, first aid procedures, or consult with remote healthcare professionals via simple text interactions.
   

Prizes will be awarded to the most innovative, impactful, and technically proficient projects. Beyond the competition, this hackathon is a chance to connect with the Africa's Talking Developer community, gain valuable experience, and potentially kickstart your project with support from Africa's Talking and our partners.

Target Attendees:

• Data engineers
• Software Engineers
• Environmental Specialists
• GIS Experts
• Policy Analysts
• Students

What should you expect as an Attendee:

• Access to Cutting-Edge Tools: Leverage Africa's Talking powerful APIs and SDKs, designed to make implementation seamless and hassle-free.
• Apprenticeship & Support: Work closely with seasoned experts from Africa's Talking who will guide and support you throughout the hackathon as we build with you.
• Networking Opportunities: Join as a member and connect with like-minded individuals, potential collaborators, and industry professionals.
• Cash Prizes, Recognition and Qualify to Join our Marketplace Program: Stand a chance to win exciting prizes, gain recognition for your innovative solutions and
• Impact Africa: Contribute to the economic growth and development of Africa by providing solutions that simplify and enhance payment processes
• 
  

The winning solution will receive cash prizes as follows:

1. Winner - $100 (Join Marketplace Program)
2. 1st Runners Up - $50
3. 2nd Runners Up - $25

Africa's Talking powers communications solutions across Africa with simplified access to telco infrastructure, developers use our powerful SMS, USSD, Voice, Chat, Airtime and Mobile Data, to bring their ideas to life, as they build and sustain scalable businesses.

Agenda:

1. Warm-Up

• Introductions
• Form teams where need be.
• Feedback
• Feature requests

2. Building/hacking: Code in GitHub/GitLab/BitBucket and deploy in Docker/Automated CI/Travis CI/Bamboo

Note: This section needs additional setup.

Upon commit, the repository is built and deployed to an accessible web server or an S3 bucket.

3. Demonstration and Wrap-up

• Teams or individuals will demo what they have hacked for feedback or adoption.

Note: Carry a laptop

Opportunities:

• Network
• Innovate
• Access to our Talent bench (You can get a job or a gig on the spot)

Submit your Idea:

• Hackathon idea submission form

Gigs:

We would love to reach out to you so that you can build for our customers, please fill out this form with details to ensure we have your details:

GIG/HACK DEVELOPER PORTFOLIO FORM

Join community channels:

X & WhatsApp:

Whatsapp: Africa's Talking Developer Community -Uganda

Slack:

• Join Africa's Talking slack community here

Please follow our Twitter handles to:

• @AfricasTalking
• @ATCommunityKla
  

You can get our videos, recaps, and event interviews on our youtube channels, subscribe to get updates:

• Africa's Talking Youtube Channel

Africa's Talking community allows developers to learn skills for the modern-day African Developer. We are language and framework agnostic. All developers are welcome. This is where Africa's Talking developers community meets to build, learn and exchange knowledge.

We are helping software developers and businesses to bring their ideas to life through easy-to-use APIs easily.

Would you like to partner with us? Kindly contact the Developer Experience Team.