It was a sad weekend as tragedy struck Nepal. The country was hit by 7.8-magnitude earthquake causing damage all throughout the Kathmandu capital. The tech industry is especially mourning because Google executive Dan Fredinburg died in the Mount Everest avalanche as triggered by the earthquake. Death toll has recently hit 4,000 and number is expected to rise in the next few days as disaster response continues. Because of all these unfortunate events, tech companies have responded on their own by launching special programs and efforts to help the victims of the earthquake. Microsoft, Facebook, Google, and T-Mobile are only some of those we know in the industry that are currently helping in the relief efforts.
Software giant Microsoft is donating a minimum $1 million donation in many forms: cash, technology, and services. The company wishes to help in the recovery and rescue efforts by donating a huge amount to NetHope. It’s a group of more than 40 non-governmental organizations that aims to improve IT connectivity in developing countries, as well as, those regions affected by disaster. This time, Nepal will be the recipient of Microsoft’s help through NetHope. Microsoft has also offered free Skype calls to mobile and landline numbers in and out of Nepal. And to encourage employees from also making their own donations, Microsoft has activated their internal Microsoft employee Giving website. Donations will be sent to organizations who are doing first and immediate response like the American Red Cross, World Vision, International Medical Corps, and Direct Relief.
Only a few hours after the earthquake, Mark Zuckerberg quickly announced that the social network has activated the Facebook Safety Check for those for people affected by the earthquake in Nepal. The tool is a simple way to let friends and family from around the globe know that one is okay. If a user is within the disaster vicinity, IP address and GPS can be identified. One needs to log and update Safety Check status just to let contacts know you are safe. And since not anyone may be able to access Facebook during this time of tragedy, friends can mark you as safe just to let others know that you are well and alive.
Google also has the Person Finder that allows anyone to search for friends or update status information of loved ones who may have been affected. This was the same tool first used by Google during the Haiti earthquake in January 2010 and in Japan during the earthquake and tsunami in 2011. This program uses a database where NGO’s and press agencies can update and contribute to. Google is now tracking about 4,800 records on the Nepal Earthquake. If you are in the area and know anyone who is safe, help by updating other’s information using the Person Finder.
T-Mobile is also joining the disaster response efforts by allowing free calls to and from Nepal without any charge. Free calls from Uncarrier can be made. Fees are actually credited back or waived until May 16 when making a call to Nepal or from there. Both postpaid and prepaid T-Mobile and Uncarrier subscribers can avail of this to help in the relief programs. We only know of T-Mobile to offer such. No word from the other mobile carriers and their MVNO’s.
If you’re a T-Mobile subscriber, you can also donate a few dollars simply by texting NEPAL to the following numbers: 864233 to donate $10 to UNICEF and 777444 to donate $10 to World Vision. Donations will be charged to postpaid bill or deducted from the prepaid plan.
VIA: TechNet, SlashGear (1),(2)
