Designers called on to join the fight against Ebola
The US Government is calling on designers to come up with innovations to help tackle the outbreak of Ebola virus, which has so far claimed more than 4000 lives.
Source: EU Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection
Healthcare workers in Guinea don protective suits as they prepare to tackle the Ebola epidemic
The United States Agency for International Development says it will award funding of up to $1 million for concepts that help tackle the disease.
USAID has teamed up with consultancy IDEO to launch a call for designs in the Fighting Ebola: A Grand Challenge for Development initiative.
USAID suggests that designers could come up with new protective suit designs for healthcare workers, as the current suits are “hot and uncomfortable” and “a great source of stress”.
There are no briefs however, and the initiative is being run as an open call for ideas that will “generate actionable solutions to the Ebola epidemic”.
An OpenIDEO statement says: “You don’t have to be an expert in healthcare or infectious disease to contribute your insights and ideas – in fact, some of the brightest solutions may be found in the most unthinkable corners.”
USAID says the strongest ideas will be encouraged to apply for Government funding, and that the aim is to start developing ideas in “a matter of weeks”.
You can find out more and submit ideas at openideo.com/content/fighting-ebola.
I am Interested in submitting an Idea? how do I go about it?
@John – Look up, approx 150px 😉
Fantastic. As emerging designer, I couldn’t have a better opportunity to help humanity. Absolutely worth my time. Getting my brains cracking