About

Bunifu Technologies envisaged to achieve a Multi layered Information Management system named “Husika MIMS”.

The envisaged solution is a functional, agile and robust multilayered information management system that will be one of the key drivers for ICT to propel disaster resilience and climate change mitigation & adaption.  The specific challenges we will be addressing are;

  • Early Warning System
  • Knowledge and awareness

Background

In November 2016, we participated in a 3-day hackathon organized by ICPAC. The event saw 11 teams battling out to showcase the most innovative & sustainable ICT solution towards disaster resilience in the greater horn of Africa. We were lucky to be among the 11 participants after a rigorous vetting process. Applications for the event came from all the IGAD states and the event itself was organized by UNDP & IGAD.

The Bunifu Technologies team pitched a solution by the name Husika IMS. Husika IMS is a multi-layered information management System which features a web application, mobile app & SMS. The 3-day event was a great success for us as we emerged second and awarded USD,1000 price money. We were also provided a grant of USD 9,430 to further develop the product.

In order to adequately solve the problems associated with Early Warning and also Knowledge and awareness. The ICPAC (IGAD Climate Prediction & application center) office introduced us to NDMA so we can work together in the software design and implementation.

Problem statement

Climate change and disaster management is a huge issue for government and communities across the globe. IGAD being one of the key players in the greater horn of Africa has not been an exception, some of the key pain points they experience from our analysis include:

  1. Information dissemination is slow & ineffective– The medium & timing is a problem
  2. Language used when disseminating the information is not user friendly
  3. Working in “silos” – No collaboration between the different stakeholders
  4. Vast geographical region covered in addressing the issue
  5. No feedback & evaluation mechanism
  6. Lack of a central database from which data can be mined
  7. It is an expensive exercise

Our Solution

The proposed system seeks to address the problem by providing the following solutions;

  1. Real time information dissemination
  2. Easy to consume information for stakeholders & end users. Information will be broken down at various levels for easy consumption
  3. A tool that brings together policy makers, private sector, Govt. & end users (community)
  4. Use of technology to bridge the vast geographical area to be reached. This would be through use of a web application, a mobile app & SMS
  5. Facilitates coordination & feedback
  6. Artificial intelligence & decision support through data mining & analysis tools
  7. Takes advantage of existing structures e.g. county governments, national administration & other community actors both private & public.

The core structure of this solution will consist of the three key components;

  1. Levels
  2. Nodes
  3. Users

 

About Bunifu

Bunifu Technologies Ltd. is an information security and software development firm founded in the year 2011. Bunifu is known for Bunifu Antivirus (their flagship product) which is the first of it’s kind in Africa. Bunifu’s vision is to be Africa’s innovation leader and seeks to provide innovative real world solutions that leverages on technology. The company has its head office in Nairobi, Kenya and seeks to expand across Africa. Visit the company website bunifu.co.ke to read more.