Natural Disasters: What tech is doing and can do to help

By Team Digit | Updated Apr 27 2015
Natural Disasters: What tech is doing and can do to help

The destruction and havoc caused in Nepal by the recent earthquake has been an eye opener for a lot of us. Tech giants and popular services have been doing their bit to aid the relief efforts and there's a lot more that tech can do. So, with that in mind, let's look at what the tech industry has done and for future reference, can do.

Natural Disasters: What tech is doing and can do to help

Google Person Finder

Google's Person Finder is perhaps the most useful tool at this time. It allows you to search a person's name, either on the web, or, if you're in India or USA, via SMS. You can send 'Search <name>' to +91-9773300000 (India) or to +1650-800-3978 (USA). Note, the <name> slot will be filled with the name of the person you're looking for.

Natural Disasters: What tech is doing and can do to help

Facebook Safety Check

Along with Google, Facebook also joined in the relief efforts. The social network has started the Safety Check feature, which allows users to mark themselves or their friends safe, and the social network then notifies others of the same. It's a very useful feature, especially for those with friends in Nepal right now.

But please guys, if you're not in the area, mark yourself likewise, and not safe. It's not cool.

Natural Disasters: What tech is doing and can do to help

Google's Map

Google also has a map showing how people are reacting to the disaster in Nepal. The map shows people searching for 'Nepal' or 'Help' in various languages from all over the world. It can be embedded on any website. You'll find the embed code along with more info on Google's efforts, here.

Natural Disasters: What tech is doing and can do to help

Google Voice

The Search giant has also dropped the pricing for calling over Google voice to Nepal. The prices stand at 1 cent.

Natural Disasters: What tech is doing and can do to help

Viber

Speaking of VoIP, Viber, which is perhaps the most popular in this area, has switched off its Viber Out billing function, allowing users to call freely to Nepal for the next 48 hours.

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Natural Disasters: What tech is doing and can do to help

Telcos

For regular voice calls, Airtel has made all calls through its network, to Nepal, free for the next two days. In addition, BSNL, MTNL, IDEA and Videocon will charge calls made to Nepal as per local call rates and not as ISD calls. Tata Teleservices and MTS have also slashed prices for this purpose.

Natural Disasters: What tech is doing and can do to help

Uber

Uber is asking its users to donate money towards the relief efforts. The firm has provided a promo code, 'HELPNEPAL', which can be entered in the Promotions tab on the Uber app. Doing so will add $10 to the bill on your next Uber ride. The company says it will collect these donations and send them to the Prime Minister's relief fund.

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Natural Disasters: What tech is doing and can do to help

Other places to donate

There are many other places where you can donate money for the relief efforts. Check this story that we did earlier today for such options.

Natural Disasters: What tech is doing and can do to help

Disaster Alert

Onto what tech can do then. The Disaster Alert app tells you about myriad natural disasters around the world. It puts them all on a map of the world, even adding a ticker to show updates. It covers almost every form of natural disaster you can think of.

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Natural Disasters: What tech is doing and can do to help

Natural Disaster Monitor

This app works pretty much the same way as the one mentioned in the last slide. The interface is a little different, and it offers updates through a news page.

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Natural Disasters: What tech is doing and can do to help

First Aid - American Red Cross

While the other two apps may be useful, the Red Cross app trumps them. This app tells you how to deal with various natural disasters and other emergency situations. It would be useful for anyone.

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