Information Graphic by Bill Pitzer (Adobe PDF) A recent report on how technology aided Haitian earthquake recovery may be useful for relief efforts in Japan. In the weeks after the crisis, Haiti became a real world laboratory for several new applications, such as interactive maps and SMS texting platforms. There, these tools were used for first time on a large scale to help citizens and relief workers communicate,' guide search-and-rescue teams and find people in need of critical supplies. The report also recommends ways to improve the effectiveness of using media in future disaster relief efforts. Already some of the same technologies are being used to help in Japan. MIT's Technology Review reports: Within two hours of the Japanese earthquake, a version of Ushahidi, Web software that helps people share information during a crisis, had been created by Japanese volunteers working with the Fletcher School at Tufts University. Ushahidi consists of a Web server and other software that lets anyone send in information'via a cell phone and the Web'that is then displayed on a map. The site dedicated to Japan, sinsai.info/ushahidi, is being used to pinpoint locations where people may be trapped, dangerous areas that should be avoided, and supplies of food and clean water. "Lessons from Haiti" was produced by Communicating with Disaster Affected Communities (CDAC), with support from Internews and funding from Knight Foundation.
