Platform for Supporting Ukrainians in a Wartime

The client approached Requestum with a poignant task: to design a platform that would provide a lifeline for Ukrainians amidst Russia's conflict. The vision was to create a digital hub that simplified locating essential resources, facilitated immediate aid, and constructed a protective layer to ensure critical infrastructure remained untargeted and safe.

Challenges

Addressing a complex scenario presented several unique challenges for us at MySyla. Since the platform might potentially be accessed from occupied territories, it was essential to ensure that search results were not disclosed in a manner akin to conventional search engines. With this in mind, MySyla was constructed focusing on three fundamental pillars:

01Real-Time Matching:

With our platform, individuals can pinpoint exactly what they need in just three clicks, or they can submit a direct request for assistance from the team.

02Real-Time Information Collection:

Dedicated teams of full-time humanitarian workers in each region ensure up-to-the-minute information gathering. They actively liaise with community groups, retail outlets, logistics providers, medical services, shelters, and more.

03Multi-Dimensional Security Ecosystem:

We safeguard vital civilian infrastructure by supplying precisely the information needed, exactly when it's needed. This data is protected by the most advanced encryption and identity verification standards, ensuring there are no lists of stores or pharmacies for potential adversaries to target.

We had to ensure that no data was ever erased from the platform, leading us to utilize an event-sourcing approach for the backend API application. To unlock the platform's full functionality, users needed to verify their accounts. We achieved this by integrating two main Know Your Customer (KYC) systems - Diia. Signature (from the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine) and AU10TIX.

Solution

We suggested a streamlined approach for the creation of such a large-scale platform, beginning with an in-depth Discovery Phase. This initial phase was instrumental in crafting a comprehensive plan, encompassing both design elements and development specifications. Building upon these critical foundations, we embarked on the journey of constructing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Upon the successful launch of the MVP, we worked in tandem with the client to identify and shape the additional scope of the project. Since then, our dedicated development team at Requestum has been continuously working to further enhance and expand the platform.

Solution

Transport

Public transport connections

Basic Supplies

Food, Medicine, Clothing & more

Maps

Outages & dangerous areas

Medical Support

Doctors & Medical Specialists

Safe Spaces

Shelters & Heating Points

Features

Driven by our goal of developing essential components for our users, we meticulously crafted a unique software system and implemented the following features:

End-user application

Users can easily register and authenticate their accounts using Diia or AU10TIX KYC services. Once confirmed, they gain the ability to search for essential supplies and crucial information effortlessly.

Admin panel module

We have incorporated a CRM system into the back office, where administrators can invite analysts to manage specific regions. Furthermore, admins have the capability to update locations and ensure real-time data accuracy by assigning additional team members known as "Contributors".

By carefully integrating these elements, we've achieved a seamless and user-friendly platform designed from the ground up to meet the needs of all stakeholders involved.

Tech Stack

Angular

Symfony

MySQL

AWS

Client’s feedback

“Requestum works more efficiently during a war than most other teams work in peacetime. The quality of development work is excellent on all fronts. Despite setbacks with the team needing to move around the country to stay safe, air raid sirens, and Internet outages, the team has never missed a deadline or gone a day without finding a way to communicate.
Requestum genuinely cared about making sure the final product was exactly what was needed. The team improved the features in ways that we could never have come up with ourselves. They obviously enjoy working together, and have created an excellent team spirit and work ethos.”

Results

MySyla platform employs a multi-tiered user system, empowering Admins to delegate content management roles to secondary managers. These managers ensure the platform is consistently updated with essential information, such as reliable supply providers and safe locations, thereby enabling end users to leverage this data for their benefit.

Moreover, the platform is crafted with a strategic design that houses information not readily accessible or aggregable for extensive data analyses. This design principle ensures that the valuable data of our users remains secure and protected.