MUST develops early warning system app
Posted By
James MphandePosted on
17th Apr, 2025
MUST has developed an Early Warning System (EWS) application in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN-Habitat.
This initiative is part of a broader project funded by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG-ECHO) which aims at conducting risk assessment using City Resilience Action Planning (CityRAP) approach in Lilongwe and Mzuzu cities and development of mobile application for EWS.
The innovative application aims to mitigate the impact of natural disasters in urban areas by providing timely warnings and information on impending disasters and weather.
The application was developed by a group of recent MUST graduates who won a competition organized for students to develop local solutions for addressing natural disasters.
The winning team, Optimum Systems, designed an application that enables users to receive early warning messages via push notifications, WhatsApp, email, or SMS, allowing them to make informed decisions and take necessary precautions.
The app also presents users with information on evacuation centres location and navigation, emergency contacts, disaster history, incident reporting and AI chatbot to aid awareness on Malawi disaster information.
During a training session for community users from Ndirande Matope, Ndirande Makata, Bangwe South and Blantyre South wards in April 17, 2025 in Ndirande, Dr Isaac Tchuwa, a senior lecturer at MUST, applauded the cordial cooperation with various agencies, including Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS), Department of Water Resources (DWR), Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) and community representatives who have been central to specifying requirements for the app development process.
Samuel Kaweko Phiri, Chairperson of the Ward Disaster Risk Management Committee, commended MUST, UNDP, and UN-Habitat for their collaborative efforts in developing and implementing the initiative.
The application is expected to benefit communities, especially those vulnerable to natural disasters.
The project highlights the importance of collaboration between academic institutions, government agencies, international organizations, and local communities in developing innovative local solutions to address pressing issues like natural disasters.
This initiative is part of a broader project funded by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG-ECHO) which aims at conducting risk assessment using City Resilience Action Planning (CityRAP) approach in Lilongwe and Mzuzu cities and development of mobile application for EWS.
The innovative application aims to mitigate the impact of natural disasters in urban areas by providing timely warnings and information on impending disasters and weather.
The application was developed by a group of recent MUST graduates who won a competition organized for students to develop local solutions for addressing natural disasters.
The winning team, Optimum Systems, designed an application that enables users to receive early warning messages via push notifications, WhatsApp, email, or SMS, allowing them to make informed decisions and take necessary precautions.
The app also presents users with information on evacuation centres location and navigation, emergency contacts, disaster history, incident reporting and AI chatbot to aid awareness on Malawi disaster information.
During a training session for community users from Ndirande Matope, Ndirande Makata, Bangwe South and Blantyre South wards in April 17, 2025 in Ndirande, Dr Isaac Tchuwa, a senior lecturer at MUST, applauded the cordial cooperation with various agencies, including Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS), Department of Water Resources (DWR), Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) and community representatives who have been central to specifying requirements for the app development process.
Samuel Kaweko Phiri, Chairperson of the Ward Disaster Risk Management Committee, commended MUST, UNDP, and UN-Habitat for their collaborative efforts in developing and implementing the initiative.
The application is expected to benefit communities, especially those vulnerable to natural disasters.
The project highlights the importance of collaboration between academic institutions, government agencies, international organizations, and local communities in developing innovative local solutions to address pressing issues like natural disasters.