We’ve launched several tools, available on our Typhoon Yolanda crisis page, to help gather and relay information in connection with the incredible devastation that’s occurred in the Philippines.

These resources include:
Google Person Finder, a web application that allows individuals to post and search for the status of family or friends affected by the disaster. If you’re worried about someone, then click on “I’m Looking for Someone” and type in their name. If you want to let people know you’re safe or have heard from someone in the area, then click on “I have information about someone” and put in their names and details. As the number of names and records build, the tool will hopefully make it easier for those who are safe to pass on their news to anyone worried about them.

We’ve also made Person Finder available on mobile phones. You can request status via SMS by sending an SMS to 2662999 (Globe subscribers), 4664999 (SMART subscribers), 22020999 (Sun subscribers), or +16508003977 with the message “Search” and then the persons name. For example, if you are searching for Joshua Reyes, send the message “Search Joshua Reyes”.


Typhoon Yolanda Relief Map, below, which provides updates on shelters and other information from the disaster zone:


These tools are open to anyone to embed on their Web sites - here are instructions for embedding person finder, and you can click the “Share” button at the top of the crisis map to embed or share by email or social media.

The more people who contribute to them, the more useful they’ll be.

Update November 12: we're also providing $500,000, split between two organizations working on the ground, CARE and the Philippine Red Cross, to aid with relief efforts. If you would like to make a donation, we've provided links to these and other organizations on our crisis landing page.

Posted by Aileen Apolo, Outreach Program Manager, Google Southeast Asia