ARE you looking for family members or friends in disaster-stricken areas in the Visayas?
There are online services worth trying.
Google offers Person Finder Service specifically for supertyphoon Yolanda victims.
While there are no guarantees of a fast response, especially with most communication lines still down in hard-hit areas, the query you file online can be used by government agencies doing rescue and retrieval operations.
Go to https://google.org/person finder/2013-yolanda.
Type the name of the person you are looking for.
A detailed questionnaire has to be filled out.
This service can also be used by a survivor to let family know you are safe by posting a message to your family or any person looking for you. You can also attach a photo to prove it.
You can send an SMS, type the person you are looking for and send to 2662999 (Globe), 466499 (Smart). 22020999 (Sun) or +16508003977
The Red Cross also launched its Social Services Restoring Family Links and Tracing Services.
Family can call 09175328500 or send an email sos@redcros.org.ph.
A Red Cross team will get back to you once they get an information about the person you are looking for.