In the past week since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake occurred off the northeastern coast of Japan, the online Google Crisis Response has emerged as a profound example of social media at its best. Google’s philanthropic site has grown as a central hub of valuable resources, providing updated information about the crisis and support for disaster relief efforts. It demonstrates the critical capabilities of technology and social media to organize timely information, enhance communication and connect people in times of humanitarian crises.
With daily updates in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean, the site is an accumulation of maps about the country’s planned blackouts, shelter information, news, message boards, transit status, realtime Twitter updates that mention “tsunami or earthquake or nuclear,” and other resources to empower victims as well as relief organizations that are trying to navigate the disaster. The site also offers easy ways to donate to the Japan relief efforts with no processing fees, so 100% of your donation will go to the organization of your choice: Japanese Red Cross Society, International Medical Corps, Unicef, Save the Children, American Red Cross or Mercy Corps.

Perhaps the most useful tools are those that aid in the search for missing victims and help people share their stories. A photo gallery shows pictures of hand written signs listing the names of those in shelters throughout Japan as another way for people to connect with loved ones.

The Person Finder database, which Google developed originally after the Haiti earthquake, now has more than 300,000 records; many are posts in search of people yet unaccounted for; others are reports that they or someone they know is alive; and others are hopeful tales of families that have managed to find each other and connect across the world. What other digital and social media channels have been valuable tools in times of this and other crises?

Photo courtesy of google.co.jp/intl/en/crisisresponse/