Google Launches Crisis Response Page, Person Finder for Philippines Flood

Philippines Flood August 2012 - Google Map

Yesterday we mentioned a few of the important resources that are being passed around on Twitter in order to help cope with the current flood crisis in the Philippines. Since then, Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) has gotten involved as well, launching its Person Finder service (see below) and crisis response page (h/t @IdeaGov).

The crisis response page is especially useful as it helps bring together a lot of key information in a centralized area. One of the difficulties of online communication in the wake of any disaster is that conversation is fragmented and it is hard to find everything all in one place. I do hope, however, that Google makes these resources a little easier to find, perhaps giving it some real estate on google.com.ph.

Google has a useful crisis map for Luzon as well (pictured top right), which marks where you can find shelters and donation centers, while also showing the extent of flooding on the Marikina River.

I’ve been in touch with Twitter user @juanxi (Ros Juan) who has been doing some good work gathering resources using @storify and sharing them on Twitter, as well as helping to set up this rescue requests Google doc with other Tweetup Manila members. I’ve moved most of the resources to a mobile friendly format (at bit.ly/floodPHinfo), since web access might be tough for many people, especially if your computer is underwater. Ros is a good person to follow for updates, as well as the hashtags #floodsPH, #rescuePH, #reliefPH, and (if you’re sending messages/prayers) #PrayForThePhilippines.

Update Aug 10: Rescue calls are also being collected and mapped on rescueph.com.