14 DAY TRIAL // Google is extending its support for the Chinese people, using its products to help those who have fallen victims to the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Sichuan. Until now, the death toll of the earthquake disaster has been reported to be 34,073, with another 245,108 injured. News about the disaster has spread all over the world and a number of organizations have made considerable efforts in trying to help the Chinese people.
The Mountain View company is among those who are trying to bring their support to the survivors and the victims' families. It is doing so by offering new satellite images of the Sichuan province, at the request of the Chinese government. This is meant to increase the focus on the recovery efforts towards those areas that are mostly affected. The satellite images can be accessed by downloading a new KLM file and viewing it using Google Earth, Google's mapping solution.
Besides the new KLM file, Google has concentrated its efforts to create a "lost loved one" search, which is based on their own Custom Search Engine technology. Hundreds of Googlers are said to be working around the clock to populate the CSE index by using published tables, hospital records, news reports, and community sites. They are looking into every bit of information they have at their disposal to help the victims' families be aware of the status of their loved ones.
Google Maps has also been used to provide its users with information about the support efforts that are going on in several of the affected areas. Google has also donated a reported $2 million for disaster relief and rebuilding. They have also unlocked a large advertising budget for donation ads and public service announcements. As with the case of the Myanmar incident, the Mountain View company has also made available a Google Checkout donations page, helping users donate to Mercy Corps, that works with the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation and the Tsinghua Foundation.
The Chinese Google search page is still featuring a black Google logo, in respect for the victims of the 7.8 earthquake.