Software solutions for disaster preparedness

Thiruvananthapuram: When

International Business Machines Corporation

(IBM) announced Call For Code hackathon, a worldwide initiative that inspires developers to solve pressing global problems with sustainable software solutions for disaster preparedness and relief, Keralites had never imagined that a natural calamity would affect the state in such a vast scale.

On Friday, when a team of experts of IBM reached here for a two-day hackathon, Call for Code Kerala challenge, organized by Kerala Startup Mission and NASSCOM, most of the participants were directly or indirectly affected by the recent floods.

IBM country leader, developer ecosystem and startups,

Seema P Kumar

said that they were not sure of organizing a hackathon in the state when it was conceived in mid-August. But, now it was more relevant than anywhere, she pointed out. “The problems and ground level issues are real. The participants have either gone through or involved in relief activities during the floods. If we can build something relevant, we could give it back to the community. Unlike other hackathons where you compete for prize money or recognition, we want these solutions to be implemented in a place or community where it could make a difference,” said Seema, who hails from Palakkad.

The winners who develop tech solutions for preventing, responding to and recovering from natural disasters will get USD 30 million over five years.

Seema said that the two-day event being held at Sports Hub, Kariavattom, was to equip participants and help them build solutions that could be applied to the community.

In addition to the expertise IBM provide for the participants, it offers IBM cloud platform for the developer.