High-tech giving, tracking reshape disaster relief

LOS ANGELES: Tech-savvy volunteers and IT behemoth companies spurred to action by Haiti's devastating quake are adding a new dimension to disaster relief. They have developed new tools and services for first responders and the public in an unprecedented effort.

"It really is amazing the change in the way crisis response can be done now," said Noel Dickover, a Washington, DC-based organizer of the CrisisCamp tech volunteer movement, which is central to the Haiti effort. "Developers, crisis mappers and even Internet-savvy folks can actually make a difference."

"Technology is playing a key role in mobilizing support for the victims of the Haiti earthquake and also in coordinating relief efforts," said Akhtar Badshah, Microsoft's senior director of global community affairs.