FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE
Contact: Jon Hirst, 719-531-3599 or for media inquiries
GMI SUPPORTS NEPAL EARTHQUAKE RESPONSE WITH LANGUAGE DATA
Colorado Springs, CO, May 27, 2020 – As the response to the Nepal earthquake moves from immediate relief to long-term support and reconstruction, GMI is releasing a web-based mapping service that depicts key data on the languages of Nepal -and can be utilized by NGO’s and other responders.
The language data displayed online comes from the Ethnologue (www.ethnologue.com) and showcases the 120 living languages of Nepal with geographic boundaries to show relief and development workers where the various local languages are spoken. This will improve the way that NGO’s engage and communicate with local communities in the rebuilding process.
“In the mayhem of devastation from this earthquake, responders should have all the tools at our disposal to help them communicate with victims in relief and recovery efforts. Given Nepal’s high language diversity and GMI’s responsibility to steward this key information asset, it’s a great blessing to be able to share these tools with them. ,” said Scott Todd, GIS Director for GMI.
GMI’s map service is delivered via ArcGIS Online, a service provided by GMI partner ESRI (www.esri.com). The map includes layers that show language areas of Nepal, Nepal earthquake epicenter, and damage assessment site locations.
“While the immediate relief has gone in, Nepal has years of work to recover. Those supporting that recovery need to understand the landscape of the languages represented in Nepal. We hope that this small bit of insight will lead to increased impact on the ground,” said Jon Hirst, president and CEO of GMI.
To explore GMI’s Nepal Language Map, visit: www.bit.ly/langnepal
To use the Nepal Language Map Layer in your own GIS or web application, visit: https://www.globalmappingproject.org/arcgis/rest/services/WLMS_Nepal_Langs/MapServer
GMI leverages research and technology to create, cultivate, and communicate mission information leading to insight that inspires Kingdom service. Founded 30 years ago on the campus of the U.S. Center for World Mission, GMI has a rich history of facilitating strategic mission research and mapping for international Christian churches and ministries. GMI is a member of Missio Nexus and the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, and subscribes to the Lausanne Covenant.
