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.
