UN recognition for disaster resilience apps

Software developers from around the world were recognized today at the UN
Climate Summit for their ingenuity in devising life-saving apps for use in reducing the impact of extreme weather  events on cities and coastal communities.  Entries to the Esri Global Disaster Resilience App Challenge included apps which allow communities to measure the
impact of permafrost melt and storm water on vital infrastructure, to access sea-level rise and landslide forecasts, and  an app which allows disaster-affected citizens to check out evacuation routes, shelter locations, and much more.  Esri, the world leader in geographic information system (GIS) technology and mapping software, awarded a prize of  $10,000 each to the winner for the best professional/scientific app and the best citizen/public-facing app which will be
made available for use to the 2,200 cities, towns and municipalities in the global Making Cities Resilient Campaign of  the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).

Margareta Wahlström, Head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, said: “Technology and science have a role  to play in making the planet a safer and more resilient place. These apps will empower people across the world to  manage the risks associated with extreme weather events fuelled by climate change which affect over 100 million  people every year. Congratulations are in order to the winners and to Esri for taking this initiative.”  The winner of the Professional/Scientific category was The Nature Conservancy for the Coastal Defense app. It
quantifies how natural habitats can help protect coastal areas by decreasing wave-induced erosion and inundation.  Users can see where their shorelines have the greatest risk of erosion, understand how coastal habitats diminish  wave height and energy, and decide on the best course of action.  The winner of the citizen/public-facing category was Adam Niciński, a software developer from Poland, for t the  VISTULA flood risk app. This web app helps citizens understand the flood risk in their communities and devise plans  for protecting family members, including older persons, people living with disabilities, and pets; shutting off gas and  electricity; and moving perishable items to upper floors. Before and during a storm, families can see if their homes are  in flood risk areas, locate hospitals, check traffic conditions, and report on events happening in their neighbourhoods.  Mr. Jack Dangermond, Esri President, said: “Esri announced the app challenge in July and the response has been  exceptional. Participants built 22 apps that help cities and citizens build resilience to the impacts of disasters. The  results are a very significant contribution to building the resilience of user-communities, particularly those that are
members of the Making Cities Resilient Campaign. Esri will provide further assistance to ensure that these apps are  widely available to the public.”