Natural or man-made disasters can have profound consequences on each of our lives. The number and intensity of disasters we will face in the near future are expected to increase. With disaster technologies, not only predictions but also tools that can be used in many areas from response mechanisms to improving lives can be developed. This makes it possible to strengthen disaster management processes and mitigate the effects of disasters.

Following the flood, fire and earthquake disasters in Turkey in recent years, thousands of people’s lives, the regional economy, cultural and natural heritage have been affected in many ways. Developing technologies that can minimize these impacts is an important focus area for us this year.

Within the scope of the ReFi Turkey program, in 2022, in collaboration with Akbank LAB and imece, we prioritized the project design of innovative ideas in the field of Restorative Finance using Web3 infrastructures and brought together software developers, designers and developers in this field at the Akbank ReFi Hackathon. The theme of this year’s Hackathon is disaster technologies.

Starting October 14, 2023, Akbank Hackathon: DisasterTech, participants will be able to develop ideas using the technology of their choice. From the basics of Web2 to the possibilities of Web3, participants will be free to use any tool they wish in line with their creativity and vision. Teams will be able to develop projects focusing on any stage of disaster management processes using the technologies they are competent in:

  • Prevention, Risk and Mitigation: Data and analysis, resilience building, mapping, education technologies

  • Preparation: Early warning systems, forecasting and prediction systems, awareness raising activities

  • Response, Intervention: Search and rescue operations, damage/risk assessment and evaluation, emergency response, energy technologies

  • Communication: Confirmation of information, communication between persons/institutions

  • Recovery, Reconstruction: Logistics, food and agricultural technologies, construction and infrastructure technologies, humanitarian assistance and empowerment, psychosocial support

Can we use technology to shape a safe future for all of us?

Within the scope of the Hackathon, we have compiled the information obtained as a result of in-depth interviews with non-governmental organizations, volunteer communities and field teams related to the disaster area in a “Challenge” structure. Our aim is to discover the areas where technology can produce solutions in disaster management processes and to enable you, technology developers, to “solve” these topics. Once it is published, you can review the challenge cards and start generating ideas!

As we all know, many different platforms, applications and technologies were developed by volunteer software and technology developers after the February 6 earthquakes. It is our responsibility to increase the visibility of these existing initiatives and make it easier to identify areas of need. With the Disaster Technologies Map we prepared to ensure this visibility, the teams participating in Akbank Hackathon: DisasterTech will be able to examine both the technology needs according to disaster stages and types and the challenges faced by organizations actively involved in the field. You can follow the announcements of the map and the publication of the card contents on @refi_turkiye Twitter / X.

So, are you ready to protect and save lives?

📌 Apply now!