Jamaica cannot afford a logistical nightmare when it comes to relief and recovery.

With the influx of resources, we must prioritize getting help to those who need it most. We need clear visibility on who needs aid and who already has aid so that help can be fairly, equally, and productively distributed. Jamaica’s rebuild will take many eyes on the ground and many hands on deck. Civica is my contribution to that effort.

While building Civica, I focused on these core principles:

• Offline-First and Energy-Efficient. I designed Civica to work in low and no-connectivity environments. It uses minimal data, features a dark mode to conserve battery, and ensures that critical information stays accessible whether or not you’re online. Users will need to sync online at least once so everything can load on their devices. After that, they can return anytime to view essential information offline.
• Privacy First. I can’t afford to leave gaps open where people can exploit this technology. Protecting against misuse is a top priority. Certain private details, such as addresses and personal identities, are only accessible to verified organizations and givers. However, high-level information remains open to the public to keep people informed while maintaining safety and trust.
• Transparency and Data Clarity. Transparency means that everyone can see what’s happening across different areas, all in one place. People seeking help can find the nearest assistance. People offering help can see where help is needed, where gaps exist, and where their support will have the greatest impact. Civica provides clear analytical data, including user-reported, crowd-sourced information, heat maps, real-time insights, and up-to-date figures so that informed decisions can be made on both sides.
• Community Effort on All Sides. This is a collective effort. Not just for large organizations, but for every neighbor, friend, and informal group who wants to take action. The verification process is fast and inclusive, allowing anyone willing to help to step in and start making a difference.
• Satellite Data and AI Analysis. Civica is working to integrate satellite imagery and AI analysis to identify damage in areas that people on foot can’t easily access or report. By partnering with both local and international institutions, we can bring in external data, merge it with community reports, and make even the most overlooked areas visible.

To learn more, a technical case study will be available on this website shortly after launch. My hope is that this inspires others to use technology to solve real problems — not just during crises, but in building stronger, more connected communities every day.

If anyone reading this has already provided relief, it’s not too late to log it to Civica so that others can see, and be informed by your contribution.

If you’d like to reach out, you can contact me at vanessa@civicajm.org.