Photo Credit: macten
In response to the Chile earthquake, the Google Person Finder app is now available. Using the same technology that was released by Google after the January earthquake in Haiti, the Person Finder tool helps gather information about those affected by the earthquake.
You can submit information about relevant parties or search the social media platform for status details about those who may have been in Chile during the 8.8-magnitude quake. The Google Person Finder app is available in Spanish, as well, and the U.S. Department of State website is currently utilizing the tool.
The creation of a central hub after such a natural disaster complements other current ways to exchange real-time information, such as Twitter and Facebook. It's another communication outlet that helps disseminate crucial information. Up-to-date data can easily be viewed as Chile deals with the quake's aftermath and aftershocks. Ultimately, it could play a pivotal role in relief efforts, as the country begins to recover and rebuild.
The Chile earthquake also caused Google to release a Map Maker application. This interactive tool, like the Google Person Finder, allows people to contribute their knowledge about what different regions of Chile look like and helps those who are searching to find information about a certain region.
As of Sunday, the death count from the Saturday morning earthquake was at 708. It doubled from the prior day. Within a day, looting had become a problem as survivors seek water, food, and supplies. Concepcion, the city that was hit hardest by the earthquake, instated a curfew to deal with security concerns. Residents were to remain indoors from 9 p.m. on Sunday night until 6 a.m. the next morning, as the city government dispensed water.
International aid offers, including relief efforts from the United States, have been extended to the country; government officials are expected to accept these offers once they establish specific areas of need in regard to the Chile earthquake.
