Developing AI-Driven Solutions for Disaster Response and Recovery in Nigeria – with DataCamp

This Omdena Local Chapter Challenge runs for 6 weeks and is a unique experience to try and grow your skills in a collaborative and safe environment with a diverse mix of people from all over the world. 

You will work on solving a local problem, initiated by UNILAG Lagos, Nigeria Chapter.

The problem

Natural disasters like floods have been a recurring issue in Nigeria, leading to widespread destruction, loss of lives, displacement, and damage to infrastructure and property. Additionally, there is a potential risk of earthquakes in certain regions, which could exacerbate the impact on communities.

The challenge aims to make a significant impact on the local community by leveraging technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to improve disaster response measures. By developing innovative AI-driven solutions, we seek to address the following aspects:

• Early Warning Systems: Implementing AI-powered early warning systems for floods and earthquakes that can provide timely alerts to communities at risk, allowing them to take preventive measures and evacuate if necessary.
• Search and Rescue Operations: Creating AI-based tools to enhance search and rescue operations in disaster-affected areas, enabling quicker and more effective locating and aiding of survivors.
• Resource Allocation: Developing AI algorithms to optimize the allocation of essential resources, such as food, medical supplies, and shelter, to survivors and displaced individuals, ensuring efficient distribution.
• Infrastructure and Building Reconstruction: Utilizing AI to assess and prioritize the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and buildings, thereby expediting the recovery process and restoring communities.
• Community Resilience: Promoting community resilience by empowering locals with AI-driven disaster preparedness and response training, enabling them to respond effectively during crises.

The impact of this challenge will be far-reaching, as it will equip Nigeria with advanced disaster response tools, thereby reducing the loss of lives, minimizing property damage, and accelerating recovery efforts.

By enhancing disaster management capabilities, the challenge will strengthen the resilience of communities in Nigeria, ensuring a safer and more secure future in the face of natural disasters.

Moreover, the technology-driven approach will contribute to Nigeria’s development and position the country as a leader in utilizing AI for disaster management within the region.

The goals

• Develop an AI-powered early warning system for floods and earthquakes in vulnerable regions of Nigeria to provide timely alerts and improve disaster preparedness.
• Create AI algorithms to optimize the allocation of essential resources during disasters, ensuring efficient distribution to affected communities.
• Design and implement AI-based tools to enhance search and rescue operations, enabling quicker and more effective locating and aiding of survivors.
• Utilize AI to assess and prioritize the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and buildings, expediting the recovery process after disasters.
• Conduct research and development efforts to create innovative AI-driven solutions for disaster response and recovery efforts, tailored to Nigeria’s specific needs.

Why join? The uniqueness of Omdena Local Chapter Challenges

Omdena Local Chapter Challenges are not a competition or hackathon but a real-world project that will grow your experience to a new level.

A unique learning experience with the potential to make an impact through the outcome of the project. You will go through an entire data science project lifecycle. This covers problem scoping, data collection, and preparation, as well as modeling for deployment.

And the best part is that you will join the global and collaborative community of Omdena with tons of benefits to accelerate your career.

Read more on how Omdena´s Local Chapters work