Three youths create app to help people find those in need

 

Helping people who wish to help others in need of help - that was the key idea behind a new application developed by three youths, named Sambal SOS after its function and with a local twist.

One of the developers, Sidharrth Nagappan, said it took his team four days to launch the application as a single platform to crowdsource incident reports - of households in need of help - shared by various people across the country.

He said the application was initially called Bendera Putih App (white flag), but later renamed to Sambal SOS.

Asked his views on the perception that the white flag movement has been politicised by certain quarters, Sidharrth told Malaysiakini: “To move away from that sentiment, we have rebranded to Sambal SOS”.

The developers, aged between 18 and 22, in a July 5 Facebook post also cited long-term sustainability and a better user experience as other reasons for the app’s move to rebrand. 

At present, users are able to identify food banks and locations that are displaying calls for help through the use of the white flag across the country on the app.

For food banks, this can be done by entering key information such as its name, location and phone number on a Google form.

However, the process for reporting those in need of aid is much simpler, asking only for pictures, the address of the household, and any additional information that may help those delivering aid.

Users are also encouraged not to include sensitive information in their reports that may jeopardise the privacy and safety of those in need.

All reports on the app are moderated before being approved and displayed on the map, with it automatically expiring after a week.

“We make sure no one’s faces are shown, no one’s privacy is breached.

“We verify based on the image and location at the time,” Sidharrth said, adding that the app is not only for white flags but the symbol it stands for - which is a cry for help.

He added that reports are authenticated by users logging into the app before accessing it, with developers looking into login alternatives such as using Facebook details.

Malaysiakini found more than 60 siren symbols shown on the app.

Additionally, there were 78 food banks listed - including Kechara Soup Kitchen and Dapur Jalanan Kuala Lumpur, as well as food pantries at several Elews Mart outlets and Petronas petrol stations.

The white flag movement, which originally inspired the app, is a community-driven campaign that aims to encourage those who are struggling financially to seek assistance by raising a white flag outside their home as a signal for others to offer help.

The initiative began as a result of the worsening economic and health crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. - Mkini