The Philippines will implement a new SMS disaster service to allow families to search for missing relatives in the wake of a major calamity or natural disaster through a simple text message.
The first of a kind in Asia, the family tracing and reconnection service will be launched by Smart Communications, Ericsson and REFUNITE, a technology-based nonprofit organization that connects families separated by war, conflict and natural disaster.
With more than four million people displaced by Typhoon Haiyan last year, the country is still recovering from large-scale damage and displacement.
By the end of 2014, survivors of Typhoon Haiyan will be able to search, reconnect, and communicate with missing loved ones through the mobile and web platform. It will also benefit victims of emergencies and disasters in the future.
Under the plan, Smart will create awareness on the REFUNITE family reconnection platform through SMS campaigns and/or cell broadcasts. The joint response will be piloted in Tacloban City, which was among those hardest-hit by Typhoon Haiyan, and then scaled to other regions.
"This is an innovative mobile service that is very relevant to the challenges that we face in the Philippines. Every year, natural and man-made disasters displace people and separate family members. An SMS-based service that enables people to search for their missing loved ones will be very useful. That is why we are happy to work with our partners to bring this service to the Philippines," said Orlando B. Vea, Chief Wireless Advisor of Smart Communications.
Sam Saba, Ericsson Head of the Southeast Asia and Oceania region, said the company is continuously seeking new ways to leverage technology for good.
"Everyone has the right to know where their family is. The Philippines experiences around 20 typhoons each year. Our goal is to leverage new technology to bring separated families back in touch," added Christopher Mikkelsen, co-founder of REFUNITE.