May 15, 2015 | By Simon
As exciting as developments with new technologies such as additive manufacturing are, tragic events such as those that occur during and after a natural disaster can help put things into perspective rather quickly; at the end of the day, humans lives are more important than the latest tech devices.
Most recently, the massive earthquake in Nepal claimed over 7,000 lives and left over 15,000 individuals injured. While there have been many efforts put into place to help bring help to the area, there is still a lot more help needed to help restore normalcy in the area.
Among others, Jang Hee I - a research scientist at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology’s 3D Printing Lab - is coordinating an international fundraising effort to help support and fund the earthquake relief and rebuilding efforts in Nepal - all with the help of 3D printing of course. Jang Hee I, along with the rest of the NEPAL: 3D RELIEF international team including Jeanny Vaidya, Chime Dolma, Enok Kim and Paul Gimenez are already working directly with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to help with the rescue and rebuilding efforts.
Together, the team is hoping to raise at least $9,000 to help provide money for the undisclosed NGOs who have already been working relentlessly around the clock with their relief efforts. Among other things, Jang Hee I and the team plan to use the funds to supply NGOs with money that will go towards providing food, water and shelter to the affected people.
As for how 3D printing comes into the mix, the team is using 3D modeling to recreate affected areas.
“We are using cutting-edge 3D printing technology to raise awareness and provide the most detailed information possible regarding the severity of the quake and the specific areas most affected,” wrote Jang Hee I on his website.
“Specifically, we are building 3D recreations of Kathmandu, the earthquake and its aftermath, as well as generating 3D models of the most affected areas, the people, and debris.”
The resulting 3D models will be used to determine with precision where to best allocate support and resources for the damaged areas.
While larger nonprofit organizations are helping provide invaluable support during the crisis, the NEPAL: 3D RELIEF fundraising effort is aiming to donate their funds directly to the local NGOs in Nepal that possess a more intimate understanding of the affected regions and people. Due to this factor alone, the local NGOs are often more mobile and in many cases can be more effective.
Those who are interested in helping fund this 3D printing effort can do so on the team’s Indiegogo page. The team notes that all of the 3D printing aspects presented are volunteer-based and none of the collected funds will go towards funding their 3D printing - so anything donated will go directly towards the NGO efforts on the ground in Nepal.
Both donors and non-donors alike can stay updated by following the team’s Instagram feed or website. Those who want to 3D print their own Nepal-based 3D prints can stay updated by heading over to the team's Thingiverse page.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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