Practice and reinforce the concepts from Lesson 5
Develop a comprehensive crisis support mobile app designed specifically for refugees and displaced populations, focusing on multi-language emergency features, offline functionality, and culturally sensitive support systems that work in challenging environments.
By completing this activity, you will:
You're developing a crisis support app for UNHCR and partner NGOs to assist refugees in emergency situations, border crossings, and resettlement processes across multiple countries and cultures.
Create an emergency communication system that works across language barriers.
interface EmergencyRequest {
urgencyLevel: 'critical' | 'urgent' | 'moderate' | 'low';
requestType: 'medical' | 'safety' | 'legal' | 'food' | 'shelter' | 'family_search';
location: LocationData;
description: string;
mediaEvidence: MediaFile[];
requesterProfile: AnonymousProfile;
}
interface LanguageSupport {
primaryLanguages: string[]; // User's spoken languages
literacyLevel: 'none' | 'basic' | 'functional' | 'advanced';
scriptFamiliarity: string[]; // Arabic, Latin, Cyrillic, etc.
preferredCommunication: 'text' | 'voice' | 'visual' | 'mixed';
}
class MultiLanguageEmergencySystem {
constructor(
private translationEngine: RealTimeTranslationAPI,
private voiceRecognition: MultilingualVoiceAPI,
private visualCommunication: VisualCommunicationAPI
) {}
// TODO: Instant emergency button with multilingual options
async createEmergencyAlert(
urgencyLevel: EmergencyRequest['urgencyLevel'],
userLanguages: LanguageSupport,
currentLocation: LocationData
): Promise<EmergencyAlert> {
// Big, red emergency button with universal symbols
// Immediate translation to local emergency services language
// Voice message recording with translation
// Your implementation here
}
// TODO: Visual communication for literacy barriers
async createVisualEmergencyInterface(
emergencyTypes: EmergencyType[],
culturalSymbols: CulturalSymbolSet,
accessibilityNeeds: AccessibilityProfile
): Promise<VisualEmergencyInterface> {
// Universal symbols for common emergencies
// Cultural adaptation of visual symbols
// Color-blind friendly design
// Your implementation here
}
// TODO: Real-time translation for emergency communications
async facilitateEmergencyCommunication(
userMessage: CommunicationAttempt,
recipientLanguage: string,
emergencyContext: EmergencyContext
): Promise<TranslatedCommunication> {
// Prioritize accuracy for medical/legal communications
// Maintain urgency while ensuring comprehension
// Handle dialect and regional variations
// Your implementation here
}
}
Build emergency features that work without internet connectivity.
class OfflineEmergencySystem {
// TODO: Offline emergency contact system
async createOfflineEmergencyNetwork(
nearbyDevices: DeviceDiscovery[],
emergencyRequest: EmergencyRequest,
meshNetworkCapacity: NetworkCapacity
): Promise<OfflineEmergencyNetwork> {
// Bluetooth/WiFi Direct mesh networking
// Forward emergency requests through device chain
// Store and forward when connectivity returns
// Your implementation here
}
// TODO: Essential information offline storage
async storeEssentialOfflineData(
userProfile: RefugeeProfile,
emergencyContacts: EmergencyContact[],
criticalDocuments: Document[]
): Promise<OfflineDataVault> {
// Encrypted local storage of critical information
// Emergency contact details
// Medical information and allergies
// Important document copies
// Your implementation here
}
// TODO: Offline location sharing
async shareLocationOffline(
currentLocation: LocationData,
trustedContacts: TrustedContact[],
safetyCheckInterval: number
): Promise<OfflineLocationShare> {
// Periodic location updates to trusted contacts
// Automated safety check-ins
// Panic button with location broadcast
// Your implementation here
}
}
Create interfaces that are sensitive to trauma and cultural backgrounds.
interface CulturalTraumaContext {
culturalBackground: string;
potentialTraumaSources: TraumaSource[];
culturalHealingPractices: HealingPractice[];
familyStructureNorms: FamilyStructure;
religiousConsiderations: ReligiousConsideration[];
genderCulturalNorms: GenderNorms;
}
class TraumaInformedInterface {
// TODO: Trauma-sensitive information gathering
async gatherUserInformationSafely(
requiredInformation: InformationRequirement[],
traumaContext: CulturalTraumaContext,
trustLevel: TrustLevel
): Promise<SafeInformationGathering> {
// Explain why information is needed
// Provide alternatives for sensitive questions
// Allow partial information entry
// Clear data usage explanation
// Your implementation here
}
// TODO: Cultural support matching
async matchCulturalSupport(
userCulturalProfile: CulturalProfile,
availableSupport: SupportResource[],
languageRequirements: LanguageRequirement[]
): Promise<CulturalSupportMatch> {
// Match users with culturally familiar support staff
// Respect gender preferences for support
// Consider religious dietary requirements
// Your implementation here
}
// TODO: Respectful crisis communication
async adaptCommunicationStyle(
crisisType: CrisisType,
culturalCommunicationNorms: CommunicationNorms,
powerDistanceCulture: PowerDistance
): Promise<CulturalCommunicationAdapter> {
// Formal vs informal communication styles
// Direct vs indirect communication preferences
// Authority relationship expectations
// Your implementation here
}
}
Build features that recognize the importance of family and community in crisis response.
class CommunityIntegratedSupport {
// TODO: Family reunion assistance
async facilitateFamilyReunification(
separatedFamilyMember: FamilyMember,
searchCriteria: FamilySearchCriteria,
privacyProtections: PrivacyProtection[]
): Promise<FamilyReunificationProcess> {
// Anonymous family member search system
// Photo matching with privacy controls
// Multi-language family description matching
// Your implementation here
}
// TODO: Community resource sharing
async createCommunityResourceNetwork(
localCommunity: RefugeeCommunity,
availableResources: CommunityResource[],
trustNetwork: TrustNetwork
): Promise<ResourceSharingNetwork> {
// Peer-to-peer resource sharing
// Cultural food and clothing exchanges
// Childcare and eldercare coordination
// Your implementation here
}
// TODO: Cultural practice maintenance
async supportCulturalContinuity(
culturalPractices: CulturalPractice[],
localCommunitySize: number,
availableFacilities: Facility[]
): Promise<CulturalContinuitySupport> {
// Religious practice space location
// Cultural event organization
// Traditional food source identification
// Your implementation here
}
}
Create secure systems for managing important documents and legal processes.
interface LegalDocument {
documentType: 'passport' | 'id' | 'birth_certificate' | 'marriage_certificate' | 'diploma' | 'medical_record';
originalLanguage: string;
translationNeeded: boolean;
verificationStatus: 'unverified' | 'pending' | 'verified' | 'disputed';
urgencyForProcess: 'critical' | 'important' | 'helpful';
}
class LegalAssistanceSystem {
// TODO: Secure document storage and management
async createSecureDocumentVault(
documents: LegalDocument[],
encryptionPreferences: EncryptionPreferences,
backupStrategy: BackupStrategy
): Promise<SecureDocumentVault> {
// End-to-end encrypted document storage
// Multiple backup locations for redundancy
// Easy sharing with legal representatives
// OCR for text extraction and translation
// Your implementation here
}
// TODO: Legal process guidance
async provideLegalProcessGuidance(
currentLocation: LocationData,
legalGoals: LegalGoal[],
documentStatus: DocumentStatus[]
): Promise<LegalProcessGuidance> {
// Step-by-step asylum application guidance
// Required documents checklist
// Local legal requirement explanation
// Deadline and appointment tracking
// Your implementation here
}
// TODO: Legal aid connection
async connectWithLegalAid(
caseType: LegalCaseType,
languageNeeds: LanguageSupport,
locationConstraints: LocationConstraints
): Promise<LegalAidConnection> {
// Pro bono lawyer network connection
// Legal clinic appointments
// Interpreter service coordination
// Your implementation here
}
}
Build health support systems that work across healthcare systems.
interface RefugeeHealthProfile {
medicalHistory: MedicalCondition[];
currentMedications: Medication[];
allergies: Allergy[];
vaccinationRecords: VaccinationRecord[];
mentalHealthStatus: MentalHealthStatus;
culturalHealthPractices: HealthPractice[];
}
class RefugeeHealthSupport {
// TODO: Medical emergency translation
async translateMedicalEmergency(
symptoms: Symptom[],
userLanguage: string,
medicalSystemLanguage: string,
culturalHealthConcepts: HealthConcept[]
): Promise<MedicalTranslation> {
// Accurate symptom description translation
// Cultural health concept bridging
// Medical terminology simplification
// Your implementation here
}
// TODO: Healthcare system navigation
async navigateHealthcareSystem(
healthcareNeed: HealthcareNeed,
currentLocation: LocationData,
insuranceStatus: InsuranceStatus
): Promise<HealthcareNavigation> {
// Find appropriate healthcare facilities
// Insurance and payment guidance
// Cultural mediator connection
// Your implementation here
}
// TODO: Mental health crisis support
async provideMentalHealthCrisisSupport(
crisisIndicators: MentalHealthIndicator[],
culturalMentalHealthBeliefs: MentalHealthBelief[],
immediateSupport: ImmediateSupport
): Promise<MentalHealthCrisisResponse> {
// Culturally appropriate crisis intervention
// Traditional healing practice integration
// Professional mental health connection
// Your implementation here
}
}
Create seamless integration with multiple humanitarian organizations.
class HumanitarianServiceIntegration {
// TODO: Multi-organization service coordination
async coordinateServices(
userNeeds: RefugeeNeed[],
availableServices: HumanitarianService[],
serviceProviders: ServiceProvider[]
): Promise<ServiceCoordination> {
// Avoid duplicate service requests
// Coordinate between UNHCR, Red Cross, local NGOs
// Track service delivery status
// Your implementation here
}
// TODO: Government service integration
async integrateGovernmentServices(
governmentServices: GovernmentService[],
eligibilityRequirements: EligibilityRequirement[],
applicationProcesses: ApplicationProcess[]
): Promise<GovernmentServiceIntegration> {
// Social services application assistance
// Integration with government databases
// Status tracking for official processes
// Your implementation here
}
// TODO: Real-time service availability
async trackServiceAvailability(
serviceLocations: ServiceLocation[],
capacityUpdates: CapacityUpdate[],
waitTimes: WaitTime[]
): Promise<RealTimeServiceStatus> {
// Live updates on shelter availability
// Food distribution schedule changes
// Medical clinic wait times
// Your implementation here
}
}
Submit the following completed implementations:
Your solution will be evaluated on:
Your crisis support app could serve:
For help during this activity:
Remember: Building for crisis-affected populations requires deep empathy, cultural humility, and recognition that technology should empower and protect, never exploit or endanger vulnerable communities.