Google Crisis Center

Google Aids Japan

If you have seen Enemy at the Gates, you might remember the lost person’s signpost where everyone leaves notes hoping against hope that their loved ones or someone who knows their loved ones chance upon it. In the aftermath of the devastating Tsunami that hit Japan, search engine giant Google is offering a high tech solution that works on the same principle. A website where you can find missing people.

In true Google fashion (and probably because of the quick development time) the page is to the point. It has been built for two types of people – those who are searching for someone online or those who have information about someone. The database is already said to have more than 7200 records. Though we have been harping about the Twitter revolution and how it has helped in the recent events unfolding in the Middle East, Google’s response to this national calamity is an excellent example of how technology can help in such dire times. Not to say that twitter is not being used even in this calamity. A quick look at Google real-time shows how people are tweeting about how apparently rescue relief efforts are being hampered by aftershocks.

Google has also launched a Google Crisis response page. The page gives visitors information about the disaster and is also a message board for announcements about alarms, transportation status and blackout information.  People can also make a donation to Japanese Red Cross in yen. The page is accessible from just under the search box on Google.com.