Overview

The Global CDMHA at USF, Global Center for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Action, is located at the College of Public Health of theUniversity of South Florida in Tampa.

The Global CDMHA at USF is a disaster management, decision training and support nucleus with the capability to provide education, information management, collaborative research on natural and human made disaster mitigation - preventive strategies to lessen the impact of future disasters -, as well as assistance with subject matter experts in needed areas of concern.

The Global CDMHA at USF seeks to build partnerships and collaborations with nations, NGOs and other key public health and disaster management organizations and help increase operational readiness in order to meet the diverse humanitarian needs of a particular region.

The Global CDMHA at USF is constantly conducting activities in the field through its applied disaster management research in various regions. We also offer consultation after a disaster, providing expertise on topics such as public health, psychological trauma, and geographical information systems (GIS).

The Global CDMHA at USF is dedicated to the transfer of new knowledge and appropriate technology through the university sector to improve preparedness and mitigation before an emergency as well as responsiveness during times of crisis. By facilitating, underwriting and co-sponsoring activities such as educational course development, forums and conferences, as well as research projects, the Global CDMHA at USF further supports disaster and crisis managers, technicians and field personnel. Cooperation in the civil-military sector is also enhanced through such ventures.

The Global CDMHA at USF formerly was the CDMHA, Center for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance. The change of word from "Assistance" to "Action" reflects a deliberate move from a reactive approach to the impact of natural and human made hazards on communities towards a more pro-active approach with an emphasis on mitigation and preparedness verses response and recovery. The addition of the word "Global" reflects the reality that our activities have a global outlook as characteristics of natural and human made hazards are translational and know no frontiers.