Pakistan’s First Technology-Driven Flood Relief Initiative Launched By Xwave

xWave, Pakistan’s first technology-driven flood relief initiative officially revealed its plans to tackle the biggest humanitarian crisis to have hit the country. 

The occasion was organized at COLABS, Pakistan’s fastest-growing coworking space. Salahuddin Khawaja, the force behind the initiative, told his team about how xWave plans to bring a tech-based approach to disaster relief to make a long-term impact. 

?“I think xWave has been years in the making,” remarked Khawaja, the founder of Hypermode (a NY-based crypto consulting firm) and the digital agency, Decklaration. 

“I helped build 3,000 shelters during the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, and this year, when the flood crisis hit, I wanted to give back again. I’ve had a passion for edtech for years and I’m hoping xWave helps unleash a wave of change, innovation, growth, and economic activity in Pakistan. Today, more than ever, we need fresh ideas to create new avenues for the overlooked. xWave is a futuristic way of reimagining our communities that creates financial empowerment in the long run,” he stated. 

A community-driven initiative that has currently more than 10 different organizations on board to drive its mission, including LUMS, Code for Pakistan, COLABS, TABADLAB, Arbisoft, KhudKaar, and more. The goal of xWave is to bring a tech-based approach to disaster relief by not only rebuilding homes in Pakistan’s flood-stricken areas but also by giving digital literacy to 300 families through Khawaja’s passion project, the Institute of Emerging Careers (IEC). 

“As part of xWave, we will be supporting families to upskill themselves as they learn digital skills,” as per Bilal Tareen, member of the xWave and IEC team. “The IEC will be introducing courses and once the students are digitally equipped, they’ll be able to support their families and get back on their feet,” he said. 

Addressing the occasion, Wardah Noor, a social activist and the founder of KhudKaar (a social enterprise working on poverty alleviation), stated that xWave will prepare those who have been affected the most by the crisis to become financially empowered and let them to sustain themselves over the course of xWave’s 10-year plan. 

“xWave is building a community which is not dependent on anyone if this crisis, God forbid, hits Pakistan again. I believe we can use technology to build those communities back up so that they can fight back and not ever be in a powerless position again,” Noor stated. 

Meanwhile, Qaiser Imam, a Senior Manager at IBM said, “I think what really resonated with me is the fact that xWave is a very well-thought-out process. It’s a process where all the stakeholders involved are approaching the flood crisis in a rational and methodical manner. That’s why I feel xWave is going to be successful…the partnerships are so critical and I’m happy to know that there are both academic institutions as well as companies that have real hands-on experience that are part of this.”