This weekend, a fierce earthquake rocked Nepal leaving the nation devastated with nearly 3,000 killed and thousands rendered homeless and awaiting rescue and aid. The Tech world has rallied behind Nepal by offering various tools aimed at helping survivors connect with their families as well as rely information on the earthquakes extent.
Last year Facebook rolled out the Facebook Safety Check, a tool that asks users in an area affected by disaster or tragedy if they are safe. Contacts can also find friends in the area, and in turn get notified about their status. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg used his account to remind users of the feature.
Google has also also has a similar tool called Person Finder, which functions as a missing persons database. Person Finder is a free tool that helps friends and family members search for missing persons after a calamity. People can request and provide information about missing persons on the site. Search is also available through SMS in India and the US. Users just have to text “search ” to +91-9773300000 in India or +1-650-800-3978 in the US.
Viber, allows users to chat and make calls via the internet through its service Viber Out. The Viber Out service is billed and Viber has thus switched off Viber Out billing so users in Nepal can make free calls to mobile and land line numbers anywhere for the next 48 hours. For those survivors who have access to an active Internet this is an important tool to get in touch.
Airtel said they will allow free calls to Nepal on its network over the next 48 hour from India to Nepal thus enabling their customers touch with their families and friends in Nepal.
Others include , Apple through its iTunes service by pointing users to a donation link for the American Red Cross.
