Put your problems in, get the solutions out! U-Report App is a mobile application developed by Riseup Labs for the client UNICEF Bangladesh. The development period was from 21st January 2019 to 25th June 2019. The U-Report app for mobile was released on 31st June 2019 on The Google Play Store and GitHub.

U-Report App Summary

  • Around 7 lac Rohingya refugees came into Bangladesh in August 2017. Where 97% were children and adolescents.
  • To develop their worst condition by providing learning opportunities, UNICEF handed over the U-Report Mobile App project to Riseup Labs in 2019
  • More than 11 Million people from 68 countries benefited from the U-Report application till now.

Challenges of UNICEF for the U-Report Application

What is U-Report Application
Figure 01: U-Report Application

Helping 679,000 Rohingya Refugee adolescents and children to grow out from their shells and ask for help by sharing their issues with full privacy was the main challenge for UNICEF.

Learning through stories was the main purpose of UNICEF Bangladesh for building the U-Report application for adolescents. The U-Report mobile app project aimed to support peace-building initiatives and adolescent empowerment. Where helping adolescents grow out from their shells and ask for help by sharing their issues with full privacy was the collective aim.

Around 7 lac Rohingya refugees came into Bangladesh in August 2017, though the number already crossed 9 lac.

Where 55% of the refugees were children, and 42% were adults. Only 3% of them were old.The adolescents were uneducated and not permitted to join work. In that situation, UNICEF Bangladesh felt that only learning could bring them to the light. To keep them away from illegal work and solve their problems, UNICEF Bangladesh offered Riseup Labs to build the U-Report mobile application. And the U-Report Mobile App appeared as a savior for adolescents.

Challenges of Riseup Labs Developing the U-Report App

Challenges of Making U-Report App
Figure 02: Challenges of Making U-Report Mobile App

While developing the U-Report app for children, the software development company Riseup Labs faced the following challenges:

  • Keeping this app size lower and also supporting all lower quality type devices.
  • Maintaining the best quality in that small size.
  • Keeping the data and admin panel safe and sound.
  • Having the most simple UI/UX for the engagement for the underprivileged audience.
  • Generating a U-Report basing the thoughts and opinions of users.
  • Ensuring the programming is in good shape and form for long-term use by UNICEF.

Solution for UNICEF through U-Report App

Solution for UNICEF through U-Report App
Figure 03: Solution for UNICEF Through U-Report App

The major components of the U-Report mobile application are RapidPro Server, U-Report offline server, and U-report mobile application.

The app includes education, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, disease outbreaks, youth, employment, sensitivity, and anything people want to share as polls. Children and adolescents can share their problems and learn everything about them in the polls.

The app also added stories for the children to learn through stories. Though the target audience of the U-Report mobile application was the Rohingya Refugee Adolescents. They were not familiar with any other languages except Burmese. So, the app development company Riseup Labs has added English to Burmese Language features for the audience.

And UNICEF got the solution to their problem.

U-Report App Key Benefits for UNICEF and the Users

Key Benefits of U-Report Application
Figure 04: Key Benefits of U-Report App

Not less than 68 countries use U-Report today. As a result, more than 11 Million adolescents and children benefited from the U-Report app UNICEF. It helps them collaborate with young minds, partners, local governments and organizations.

For getting feedback, an internet connection is not mandatory for the users. As they are from underprivileged areas, the app has been made for easy use and effective learning. The polling system is secured, and all data will be kept confidential. It will work like a best friend. People can share their opinions freely.

Though the primary audience for the app was the Rohingya Refugee adolescents, the app benefited adolescents and children worldwide. The impact proves that it benefited more than 68 countries’ 11 Million people.

The client UNICEF benefited from the U-Report Mobile Application and got the solution to their challenges where the audiences are increasing day-by-day and benefits through this Mobile App.

How Has Riseup Labs Made the U-Report App?

The mobile app development company Riseup Labs has followed the Incremental Process Model for developing the U-Report app for children. This model has been chosen based on the nature of the project.

The developers considered what methods and tools to use and the controls and deliverables required to make the U-Report app UNICEF.

Quality Assurance for U-Report App by Riseup Labs

Quality Assurance for U-Report Application by Riseup Labs
Figure 05: Quality Assurance by Riseup Labs

After building an app, there are a lot of remaining tasks. Apps are dependent on many actions, tasks, and levels. After building an app, Riseup Labs always follows Software Quality Assurance steps. In the case of the U-Report mobile application, the development company Riseup Labs has followed the following steps:

  • Checked on various quality android phones.  
  • Measured the problems (where needed) and found the causes.  
  • Tested the app on different types of software-based tools or devices.
  • Research and follow solutions for the next tasks.  
  • Collected the feedback of users and implemented them. 
  • Fixed the bugs whenever and wherever necessary.

Features of U-Report Application for Mobile

Features of U-Report Application
Figure 06: Features of U-Report Mobile App

Riseup Labs has included features that translate text to speech, and stories from English to Burmese Language, so that the Rohingya refugee can learn lessons in their mother language. The winning features of the U-Report app for adolescents are:

  • Offline Feedback and Polling Mechanism
  • Translation of stories from English to the Burmese language
  • Text-to-speech translation
  • SERVER Sync
  • Back end features

Where the main features are:

  • User Stories
  • User’s voice and opinions
  • Poll results
  • Connected with U-report Bangladesh
  • Both offline & online usability
  • User & Data security
  • Full control of Content Management

How Does U-Report Mobile App Operate?

There are admins who perform various duties. They can see the total number of stories and opinions added by the users. The admins add them to the dashboard. Then they view the details of the story. And after editing the story, they delete it.

The result shows the statistics where Gender and Hubs are categorized. 

They also perform the duties of media management and profile updates. The most important thing is that the U-Report mobile application confirms all of your data privacy.

Process of the U-Report Mobile App

Process of U Report Application
Figure 07: Process of U Report Mobile Application

The U-Report application for mobile sends people direct messages on Facebook Messenger Polls. These polls include education, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, disease outbreaks, youth, employment, sensitivity, and anything people want to share.

The application tracks real-time responses from you. In this way, 

it maps the people’s answers to their site for showing numbers and statistics.

The mobile app U-Report counts every share. You can be clearer by the example. If you share your honest feelings, this mobile application will maintain your confidentiality, and you might get help from it as soon as possible.

Client’s Point

To empower adolescents & nation’s communities, UNICEF took initiatives for the U-Report for adolescents. UNICEF works to save children’s lives. Defending children’s rights and fulfilling their basic needs till the stage of adolescents is their main focus point. UNICEF considers everyone as a citizen and person and struggles for their rights.

This page was last edited on 13 March 2023, at 5:54 pm