I know it is small comfort to those suffering in Haiti, but it has been gratifying to see how technology has helped spread the word, facilitate donations and help in relief.
Particularly impressive is how easy it has been to donate $ 10 via a simple text message to the Red Cross. Of course,Twitter and Facebook have been significant in getting the message out. Google and others have set up registries and “people finders”. Crews are using sensitive microphones and heat seeking sensors to find trapped people. With electricity and communications at a premium interesting satellite, IP based and solar solutions are being deployed.
I looked at previous posts on this blog and found several other technologies which are helping in the relief and recovery
- Sahana Disaster Recovery Portal (born out of the 2004 Tsunami in Asia) is helping coordinate some of the relief
- GeoEye has been used to bring satellite maps of the affected areas (as in image below)
- The USNS Comfort – a floating hospital – is headed there
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