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Internet vital for Haiti rescue work as phones go down
Mark Prigg, Science and Technology Editor19 Jan 2010
The internet is proving crucial in
co-ordinating rescue efforts in Haiti.
Mobile phone networks and land lines were shut down but some internet connections survived, providing residents and aid workers with their only link with the outside world and each other.
Many used twitter and other social networking sites, while some managed to conduct online video chats. “This has been the first international disaster where the internet has really come into its own,” said Anjali Kwatra of ActionAid.
She first learned of the quake when Anne Gormally, ActionAid's humanitarian coordinator in Haiti, posted an update on Facebook saying: “Just had the biggest scare of my life. Huge earthquake in Haiti.
"Panic here, probably loads of people dead by now and I have no phone to contact anybody, I am stuck home not knowing what to do ... just scared as hell.”
Miss Kwatra said: “For days we didn't have mobile phone coverage, and our satellite phones were inside our office, which had major structural problems. However, we were able to relocate to a nearby shelter which had a working internet connection.”
Although many firms are using Skype to keep in touch, Google has also mobilised its developers to help. The firm has set up special versions of its Google Earth with pictures from the day after the quake, and has even launched a person finding service.
“In the wake of the Haiti earthquake, several groups at Google immediately mobilised to figure out how they could put their technology to use to aid relief efforts,” said Prem Ramaswami of Google's disaster response team.
