Inside SAFE STEPS: How community engagement and tech innovation drive disaster resilience

In recent years, Asia has endured a series of devastating natural disasters. From the relentless monsoon floods in India and Pakistan to the widespread destruction caused by Typhoon Saola in the Philippines and Hong Kong, the region is no stranger to the force of nature. These calamities have underscored the urgent need for innovative solutions to protect vulnerable communities and strengthen disaster preparedness. With climate change intensifying the frequency and severity of such events, the time for action is now.

Against this backdrop, Prudence Foundation brought together innovators, industry leaders, and passionate advocates in a virtual forum. D-Tech Spotlight: Disaster Resilience via Technology, held last 27 November, showcased what technology can do to mitigate disasters. Central to the event were 13 innovative startups revolutionising this space. Joining them were Amazon Web Services (AWS), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), and other key organizations, supported by the leading tech media platform, e27.

Also read: Can Southeast Asia’s climate tech heroes bridge the gap between profit and planet?

Prudence Foundation leading the charge in disaster resilience

With climate change accelerating the frequency and severity of natural disasters, the need for innovative solutions to build resilience has never been more urgent. “With increasing threats from climate change, the need to build resilience and support disaster mitigation solutions has never been greater,” said Nicole Ngeow, Director of the Prudence Foundation. She underscored the foundation’s long-standing commitment to disaster risk reduction, particularly through its flagship initiative, the D-Tech Awards. This program identifies and supports emerging technologies that can protect lives and livelihoods before, during, and after disasters.

The program has evolved over the years into a powerful community-driven initiative. Specifically, it aims to catalyze investments and innovations focused on disaster resilience. By bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders, Prudence Foundation fosters collaboration. Together, they tackle the growing challenges posed by climate-related hazards. Its stakeholders include startups, government agencies, and private sector leaders. Through programs like D-Tech Awards and D-Tech Community Hub, the foundation seeks to promote scalable solutions. These not only address immediate disaster impacts but also strengthen communities in the long term. As a result, communities are better prepared for future crises.

Building resilience together: Insights from leaders at D-Tech Spotlight

Tuan Nguyen, AWS Senior Partner Lead for the Public Sector Industry (APAC), then shared insights into Amazon’s disaster preparedness efforts. This includes their work with CropIn to reduce crop loss using climate-resilient technologies. Through this collaboration, AWS helps provide farmers with predictive analytics and real-time weather data.  This optimizes agricultural practices, ensuring that crops are better protected against unpredictable climate patterns. “Since 2017, we’ve responded to 145 natural disasters, leveraging cloud technology to enable solutions like climate-resilient agriculture,” he shared.

Takeshi Komino, Vice President of Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN), spoke on the resilience movement in Asia. He acknowledged the region’s vulnerability to disasters and called for a transformation towards greater resilience by 2030. He stressed the need for innovation, particularly in addressing cascading risks from climate-related disasters. Building on this, UNDRR’s Yanick Michaud-Marcotte reinforced the importance of the private sector in disaster risk reduction. He noted their work with organisations like ADRRN and emphasised the shared responsibility between government, private sector, and technology providers in reducing disaster impacts.

Showcasing health and water sanitation tech

D-Tech Spotlight showcased a series of innovative companies that are transforming disaster preparedness and response using technology. This includes sectors like healthcare, water and sanitation, disaster management, connectivity, mobility, and community resilience.

StratifiCare and HELF AI are using AI and predictive analytics to address health risks during natural disasters. StratifiCare focuses on optimizing hospital resources during dengue outbreaks, using StratifiDen, a predictive blood test, to prioritize patient care and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations. HELF AI, through its platform, provides real-time guidance for healthcare professionals in emergencies, improving decision-making and disaster management in developing regions.

Wateroam and DayZero are tackling water scarcity and purification in disaster-affected areas. Wateroam’s portable filtration systems, such as the ROAM Protector Plus, provide clean drinking water in under an hour, with the goal of reaching 30 million people by 2030. DayZero offers a UV water purifier that works without external power, ensuring access to safe drinking water in emergencies. Both companies focus on supporting Sustainable Development Goal 6 by improving water access during disasters, and their technologies are already being tested and implemented in regions affected by crises.

Also read: Living in the age of disasters: How global partnerships are shaping D-Tech

Highlighting monitoring and communication

The D-Tech Spotlight session also highlighted advances in disaster management and monitoring. Alerto PH uses IoT and AI to deliver early alerts for natural hazards like storms and floods, enabling more effective emergency response. USHER Technologies monitors earthquake and structural health in real time, protecting critical infrastructure, while Kinetic Analysis Corporation provides predictive modeling for tropical cyclones, helping governments and businesses prepare for and mitigate disaster impacts. These technologies aim to enhance disaster resilience through early warning systems, improved infrastructure safety, and predictive analytics.

In the realm of connectivity, Kacific Broadband Satellites is addressing the need for reliable communication in remote regions, offering satellite-based internet and portable kits for disaster response. Similarly, Bike Scouts, through its SuperScout App, connects local communities and provides real-time disaster monitoring using AI and mesh networks. These technologies empower communities to respond more effectively to disasters, bridging communication gaps during crises and ensuring better coordination among responders.

Also read: Inside SAFE STEPS: How community engagement and tech innovation drive disaster resilience

Innovative mobility solutions for disaster response and rescue

The Go Bike Project from the Philippines and Uptime Rescue by Zeal Industries showcase how mobility can transform disaster response and safety. Go Bike trains youth volunteers, equipping them with bicycles outfitted with emergency supplies to deliver aid swiftly in disaster-stricken areas. Since its founding in 2019, the initiative has expanded to 41 communities with 2,000 volunteers actively participating in preparedness drills and healthcare services. By empowering local youth and fostering partnerships with governments and NGOs, Go Bike not only enhances disaster readiness but also promotes health and eco-friendly transport. Discussions around its scalability and potential for international youth collaborations highlight its far-reaching impact.

Zeal Industries’ Uptime Rescue targets small-scale fishers in high-risk areas with an innovative wearable tracking device integrated into clothing. Automatically activated in emergencies, it provides real-time location tracking, drastically reducing rescue times and increasing survival rates. With a hybrid funding model and recognition from prestigious awards like the Responsible Seafood Innovation Award, Uptime Rescue is poised to enhance maritime safety for vulnerable fishing communities. Together, these initiatives exemplify how mobility-driven solutions can address land and sea challenges, fostering resilience and saving lives.

Fostering community resilience through tech and collaboration

Lastly, Lambdai Space and Boosty are driving community resilience through their respective technologies. Lambdai Space uses satellite data and AI to monitor climate risks and improve disaster risk reduction, especially in agriculture and insurance. Boosty connects communities to clean energy solutions and emergency services, ensuring reliable power during crises and contributing to long-term sustainability. These companies exemplify how technology can support communities in adapting to climate change and building resilience against future disasters.

One clear takeaway at D-Tech Spotlight was the growing importance of collaboration across sectors to drive change in disaster preparedness. As Nguyen remarked, the presence of both private and public organisations underscored why unified efforts can improve disaster resilience. Together, NGOs, startups, and governments reflect the growing recognition that unified efforts are key. This cross-sector collaboration not only strengthens disaster management but also promotes long-term resilience. Ultimately, more lives are saved and economic and social impacts are minimised.

Also read: Empowering disaster resilience via technology with D-Tech Spotlight

Forging ahead with SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards

“The journey toward disaster resilience doesn’t end here,” said Ngeow. “Through the SAFE STEPS D-Tech Community Hub, we aim to foster continuous innovation and collaboration.” A major part of this initiative is the SAFE STEPS D-Tech Awards. Established to foster more resilient communities, it aims to harness the power of technology to mitigate the loss of life and reduce the economic and social impacts of disasters. Through collaboration with its partners, the program offers a platform for technology solutions to thrive and help communities better prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

The virtual event supported by e27 concluded with the announcement of important dates for the 2025 D-Tech Awards. Applications will open on 3 February 2025, followed by a virtual launch on 10 February, and the virtual semifinals on 30 April. The in-person finals will take place at Echelon 2025, a key gathering for tech innovators and entrepreneurs hosted by e27, on 11 June 2025. The D-Tech Awards aims to continue empowering startups and organizations with the resources to drive disaster resilience solutions and create lasting impact in vulnerable communities.

Want to join the D-Tech Community Hub? Sign up here!

—

This article is produced by the e27 team

We can share your story at e27, too. Engage the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem by bringing your story to the world. Reach out to us here to get started.

The post Shaping disaster resilience in APAC through innovation with D-Tech Spotlight appeared first on e27.