HDM is Awarded CDC Contract to Develop GIS-based System for Complex Humanitarian Emergencies

For Immediate Release

Cambridge, Massachusetts ... Harvard Design and Mapping (HDM) of Cambridge, MA and Washington, DC has announced that it has been awarded an SBIR contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a GIS-based system for Rapid Population Assessment in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies (CHE).

HDM's research will focus on developing software tools to demonstrate the feasibility and promise of utilizing a Geographic Information System (GIS) combined with GPS and Remotely Sensed data to simplify and streamline rapid population assessments in natural disasters and CHEs. Such estimates are key to CDC's ability to successfully prepare and respond to human emergencies.

Reacting to the award, Kija Kim, HDM's CEO and President, said, "We are pleased that the CDC has recognized HDM's qualifications in GIS and information technology. We have assembled an outstanding team and are confident that the software resulting from our research will support the CDC's mission and enhance population estimation methods.

Once developed, we are confident that this system has the potential to become an important tool for a variety of non-governmental and international organizations that provide services within the broader context of disaster and emergency health research and response, The system could easily be adapted to serve the needs of any organization charged with providing humanitarian aid to populations impacted by natural or technological disasters."

The HDM team includes Dr. Stephanie Hulina, HDM's GIS Health Manager, Dr. Wei Du, HDM's Chief Technology Officer, and subject matter experts from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for International Emergency, Disaster and Refugee Studies (CIEDRS).

Specializing in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), HDM provides state of the art location based technology services and products to businesses and governments worldwide. One of the first GIS consulting companies in the United States, HDM's innovative solutions-based approach has successfully helped a wide range of clients maximize the value of their data. Founded in 1988, HDM has offices in Cambridge, MA and Washington, DC. For more information visit www.hdm.com or contact Jim Aylward at 703-224-1414 x211.