Cries for Help via Text Messages Are Used to Direct Aid to Haiti

The New York Times on how the Coast Guard plays a part as an SMS emergency contact network for Haitians.

... To get the word out about the new program, the distress code number — 4636 — was sent to every cellphone on the Haitian network. Word of the program also went out on local Haitian radio stations.

The choice to base the emergency network on text messaging was because of the damage Haiti’s telecommunications system suffered in the quake. Fallen cell towers and overloaded networks made telephone calls nearly impossible.

However, text messaging was still available and widely used among Haitians trying to locate friends and loved ones among the rubble.

Read full article.

emily | 8:08 AM | New SMS Services |
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