Tech companies are launching tools and services to help people find and track friends and relatives who are affected by Nepal earthquake.
Many tech companies are launching tools and services to help people find and track friends and relatives in the areas affected by Saturday’s tragic magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Nepal, which killed more than 2,200 people. The companies that are currently involved are Google, Facebook, Apple, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc. Here is the list of services and tools these companies offer.
Google has launched its People Finder tool, where visitors can either look for someone or share information about someone in the affected areas. You can access the tool by sending SMS “search ” to +91-9773300000 in Nepal or India, or to +1 650-800-3978 in the U.S. As of Sunday morning Google reports that it has over 3,800 collected.
Google introduced People Finder Tool in January 2010 after an earthquake hit Haiti. It uses a database of missing persons and information from individuals and organizations to help people check the status of friends or relatives after a disaster.
Link: Google Person Finder – Nepal Earthquake, 2015
Facebook’s Safety Check tool will help users in the affected areas, let friends and loved ones know they are OK. If you live in one of the areas hit by the earthquake, Facebook will send you a notification, “asking if you are safe and whether you want to check on any of your friends”. Facebook first announced its Safety Check tool in October.
Link: Facebook Safety Check – Nepal Earthquake, 2015
Apple
Apple is inviting iTunes users to donate to the American Red Cross. The appeal allows donations from $5 to $200. Apple will pass 100 percent of the proceeds through, though they will not share contributors’ personal information.
According to the page, contributions “will enable the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters.” As most iTunes users already have a credit card linked to their account, it is a particularly quick and easy way to donate.
Apple has responded in the same way to a number of previous disasters, including Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the earthquake in Haiti and, of course, Hurricane Sandy.
Link: Web
Sprint
Sprint is waiving and crediting calls and text messages by Sprint customers to people living in the affected areas of Nepal. This offer will be from April 25 and continue through May 16, 2015. This offer applies to all postpaid and prepaid customers of Sprint, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile USA.
Additionally, Sprint will waive standard text-messaging fees for various Nepal disaster-relief short codes and mobile-donation campaigns starting today until May 16, including:
- Text “REDCROSS” to “90999” to donate $10 on behalf of the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
- Text “WFP” to “50555” to donate $10 on behalf of UN World Food Program.
- Text “NEPAL” to “20222” to donate $10 on behalf of Save the Children.
- Text “NEPAL” to “864233” to donate $10 on behalf of UNICEF.
- Text “AID” to “27722” to donate $10 on behalf of UN World Food Program USA.
Another good thing is that the Sprint Foundation will also match all Sprint employee contributions made through May 16, 2015 to the American Red Cross International Response Fund.
Link: Sprint NewsRoom
T-Mobile
Like Sprint, T-Mobile is also waiving and crediting calls and text messages to and from Nepal from Saturday, April 25 through May 16, 2015. This offer applies to all postpaid and prepaid customers of T-Mobile, MetroPCS, GoSmart Mobile and Walmart Family Mobile with international calling.
T-Mobile customers can simply text-to-donate in support of the following charities of Nepalese disaster relief efforts:
- Save the Children – Text NEPAL to 20222 to donate $10 to Save the Children
- UNICEF – Text NEPAL to 864233 to donate $10 to UNICEF
- World Vision – Text NEPAL to 777444 to donate $10 to World Vision
Your donation will be charged to your T-Mobile phone bill, and 100% of this donation goes directly to the charity.
Link: T-Mobile NewsRoom
