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OpenEWS

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What OpenEWS is

OpenEWS is a free, open-source platform for alerting authorities that need to warn people during natural disasters or other public emergencies. Its API manages beneficiary data and groups, and documents voice-call, text-message, and audio broadcasts, including starting and stopping broadcasts. The maker also describes support for messages, interactive voice response, and Cell Broadcast through Somleng, which OpenEWS integrates with for message delivery. The platform is designed to work with mobile network operators, government databases, and early warning protocols. Its API follows JSON:API, uses HTTPS, and requires a bearer token. Webhook deliveries include an HS256-signed JWT, and the documentation recommends verifying it before handling events. A Digital Public Goods profile reports that personal data is collected and stored but not distributed, and describes encryption in transit and role-based access controls. OpenEWS is listed as a Digital Public Good and uses the MIT license; the project describes itself as actively in development. Setup uses Docker Compose with PostgreSQL, and Terraform configuration is provided for AWS. Local development requires Docker and Docker Compose.

Who it suits

It is intended for alerting authorities and the developers, system integrators, and technical stakeholders who build early warning systems. It may suit organizations needing to manage beneficiaries and deliver warnings through the listed broadcast channels.

What it does well

  • Manages beneficiary records and groups.
  • Documents text, voice-call, and audio broadcasts.
  • Integrates with Somleng for emergency warning delivery.
  • Uses HTTPS and signed JWTs for webhook deliveries.

What to know first

  • Local development requires Docker and Docker Compose.
  • API requests require a bearer token.
  • The project describes itself as actively in development.

Limits

Local development requires Docker and Docker Compose. API access requires a bearer token, and the project is actively in development.

Getting started

  1. Open the OpenEWS website or repository
  2. Install Docker and Docker Compose for local development
  3. Start the web app and PostgreSQL with Docker Compose
  4. Use Terraform configuration when deploying to AWS
  5. Configure API access with a bearer token and connect Somleng for delivery

Verdict

OpenEWS brings beneficiary management and several emergency warning channels into an open-source platform. Teams should account for its Docker-based local setup and handle bearer tokens as sensitive credentials.

Questions

Who is OpenEWS for?

It is intended for alerting authorities, with API documentation aimed at developers, system integrators, and technical stakeholders.

Which alerts can it deliver?

The API documents voice-call, text-message, and audio broadcasts. The maker also describes messages, interactive voice response, and Cell Broadcast through Somleng.

Which platforms are listed?

OpenEWS is listed for API, self-hosted, and web use.

Is OpenEWS open source?

Yes. It is free and open source under the MIT License and listed as a Digital Public Good.

How is the API secured?

The API uses HTTPS and bearer tokens. Webhook deliveries include an HS256-signed JWT, whose signature should be verified before processing events.

How can it be deployed?

The getting-started guide uses Docker Compose with PostgreSQL, and Terraform configuration is provided for AWS deployment.

Facts from OpenEWS's own pages

API
The API follows JSON:API, uses HTTPS, and requires a bearer API token for requests. · open-ews.org, 11 Oct 2026
API security
API access uses bearer tokens, which the documentation says should be treated as sensitive and not exposed in client-side code. · open-ews.org, 11 Oct 2026
Audience
The API documentation is intended for developers, system integrators, and technical stakeholders working on early warning systems. · open-ews.org, 11 Oct 2026
Beneficiary management
The API supports managing beneficiary data and groups. · open-ews.org, 11 Oct 2026
Broadcasts
The API documents voice call, text message, and audio broadcasts, including starting and stopping broadcasts. · open-ews.org, 11 Oct 2026
Certification and license
OpenEWS is listed as a Digital Public Good and its profile identifies the license as MIT. · digitalpublicgoods.net, 11 Oct 2026
Channels
The maker describes support for messages, interactive voice response, and Cell Broadcast through Somleng. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Current status
The project describes OpenEWS as actively in development. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Delivery integration
OpenEWS integrates with Somleng to deliver emergency warning messages. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Deployment
The repository's getting-started guide runs the web app and PostgreSQL with Docker Compose, and says Terraform configuration is provided for AWS deployment. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Development setup
The local development instructions require Docker and Docker Compose and start the web app with PostgreSQL. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Integrations
OpenEWS says its API supports integration with external systems and follows the JSON:API standard. · open-ews.org, 11 Oct 2026
Intended users
The maker says the platform is intended for alerting authorities to warn beneficiaries during natural disasters or other public emergencies. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Localization
The project says OpenEWS supports localization, including right-to-left and non-Latin scripts such as Khmer and Lao. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Open source
The project describes OpenEWS as free and open source under the MIT License. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Privacy and security
The Digital Public Goods profile reports that personal data is collected and stored but not distributed, and describes encryption in transit and role-based access controls as security measures. · digitalpublicgoods.net, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose
OpenEWS is designed for alerting authorities to send warnings during natural disasters or public health emergencies. · open-ews.org, 11 Oct 2026
Support
The repository directs users with issues to open a GitHub issue or discussion. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Webhook security
The API documentation says webhook deliveries include a signed JWT using HS256 and recommends verifying the signature before processing events. · open-ews.org, 11 Oct 2026

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