--- title: "Leveraging technology to respond to earthquakes damages \u2013 The Mexican example" url: https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/leveraging-technology-to-respond-to-earthquakes-damages-the-mexican-example/ --- 1. [HOME](/) 2. [RESOURCES](/content-hub/) 3. [SEEDSTARS LIFE](/content-hub/life/) 4. LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO RESPOND TO EARTHQUAKES DAMAGES – THE MEXICAN EXAMPLE ![Leveraging technology to respond to earthquakes damages – The Mexican example](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/103.original.max-1500x500.jpg) LATIN AMERICA • TECHNOLOGY ## Leveraging technology to respond to earthquakes damages – The Mexican example Juliane Butty SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 19th September 2017, 1:13 pm – Mexico was hit by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, 32 years after the 1985 Mexico earthquake that caused more than 10,000 deaths. While technology and scientific progress have improved consequently the past 30 years, there are still elements that humans can’t determine or fully handle. Earthquakes are a terrible example of it. If you happen to ever be exposed to a situation like this and/or want to know how to prevent and act quickly, you can[this article for best practices](https://medium.com/@romulonavarrete/a-guide-for-beginners-best-practices-during-an-earthquake-11be372e3c53) for best practices during an earthquake. At the time of this writing, thousands of volunteers are in the streets of Mexico City working together and demonstrating an incredible chain of solidarity. Different brigades are searching for survivors under tons of rock from the over 40+ buildings that collapsed, groups of friends are driving all around the cities to distribute water, others are preparing sandwiches in the corner of the street to feed volunteers, and I guess the big majority of those people have an eye on their smartphone to get the latest information, offer or search for help and coordinate the actions. In the context of the Mexico earthquake, technology has played an important role and helped to respond better to the disaster by connecting people and information. Here’s a quick list of technologies that impacted people’s lives in the city and hopefully can help handle catastrophes in other parts of the world: [ **Facebook’s Safety Check**](https://www.facebook.com/about/safetycheck/) – which first allowed users in disaster zones to mark themselves as safe is now also a social peer to peer platform to offer and ask for help. As a result, 27 hours after the _temblor,_ the Facebook Safety Check for Mexico, Puebla, Rabosa’s Earthquake counted with 1’103 help demands and 9’983 help offers. ![Google Map](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/103_1.width-800.png) **Collaborative** [**Google Map**](https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1_-V97lbdgLFHpx-CtqhLWlJAnYY&ll=19.41332029541404%2C-99.15078710149623&z=14) – allowed to elaborate customized maps to register the different zones where buildings collapsed as well as the different help centers available to assist the population. The collaborative Google Maps was also used some days ago to localize people that needed help after the Hurricane Harvey under the name, [Rescue Houston Google map](https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?hl=en&mid=15Zevlh0kwqYvAQnEebVidjZ0VIo&ll=29.78188151364649%2C-95.30895960416069&z=11) ![Collaborative Google Map](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/103_2.width-800.png) **Collaborative web page** – as a non-profit initiative, the online page [Comoayudarmexico.mx](http://comoayudar.mx/index.html),was created to centralize in one place the different ways to help. It works with a well known open source development software, [Github](https://www.google.com.mx/search?q=github&oq=github&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60l4j0.4509j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8). ![Collaborative Web Page](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/103_3.width-800.png) [ **Amazon wish list**](https://www.amazon.com.mx/registry/wishlist/H4XK3LNWVOPB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_ws_mMXTzbP50RRF6/ref=s9_acss_bw_cg_CR_4a1_w?pf_rd_m=A3TO6F13CSVUA4&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-1&pf_rd_r=ABMK7K6N3BZRH1RVF572&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=7f7f15f4-0db4-4fae-bbfb-8dbc6b88b85e&pf_rd_i=17290014011) – based on the needs shared by the Red Cross Mexico, Amazon created a customized list. ![Amazon Wish List](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/103_4.width-800.png) [ **Airbnb Disaster Response**](http://www.milenio.com/tendencias/airbnb-temblor_cdmx-alojamiento_gratis-brigadistas-damnificados-milenio-noticias_0_1033696775.html) [**Program** –](http://www.milenio.com/tendencias/airbnb-temblor_cdmx-alojamiento_gratis-brigadistas-damnificados-milenio-noticias_0_1033696775.html) which allows Airbnb user as well as non-registered people to offer free accommodation for temporary periods. ![Airbnb Disaster Response Program](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/103_5.width-800.png) Many big tech names provided support by offering free services (check the article of _Expansion_ [here](http://expansion.mx/empresas/2017/09/20/marcas-ponen-su-granito-de-arena-ante-el-sismo) to know more). Other examples are Uber & Cabify who offered sponsored rides at defined times to help people move in the city or go back home. The telco operators Telcel & AT&T provided free calls and wifi. BBVA Bancomer, a bank leading the digital transformation, stopped to charge withdrawal fee at their ATM till the end of September.Mexican Startups, even with smaller teams and different resources, were totally part of the effort. And as in the market, they were often faster to react than big corporations. Three examples that highlight it well: * [Rappi Mexico](https://www.rappi.com.mx/) – the fast-growing delivery platform active in Mexico & Colombia – designed in a few hours an incredible service of support with on one side the possibility to do donations through their [platform](https://www.rappi.com.mx/donaciones) and one other having its float of delivery contractors on the ground doing food, medications or water delivery in different part of the city. ![Rappi Mexico](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/103_6.width-800.png) * [Bitso](https://bitso.com/?adq=GG-INBRD-BIT-EX&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIntGn8cm11gIVBUGGCh19KQS2EAAYASAAEgJMWvD_BwE) – Mexican first cryptocurrencies exchange platform – opened an account to receive donations in Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple allowing faster and more transparent money transactions. * [Terapify](https://terapify.com/mexicocontigo/) – the early stage startup providing online psychological therapy – offered free sessions for people affected by the earthquake. Many other startups shared advice with their user community such as the startup Pig.gi also currently working with Mowisat to provide free satellite internet at the distribution centers or [Pay it](https://www.payit.mx/) that is facilitating donation transfer through its social payment platform. ![Pig.gi](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/103_7.width-800.png) ![Payit](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/103_8.width-800.png) If technology enables us to swiftly deal with natural disasters, it is not to forget that behind it, there are people. Entrepreneurs who are able to think fast about how to pivot their product/services or to leverage their community to serve the affected population and who are in the meantime driven by creating positive impact and by taking responsibility of being corporate citizens.I am actually not only speaking of company’s founders but actually of any citizen that through this period of crisis acts with responsibility and is able to leverage technology and their network to impact and help with effectivity & solidarity. That’s what Mexicans showed us this week by creating [#BrigadaDigitalMX](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BrigadaDigitalMx&src=tyah) to organize help & information. **#FuerzaMexico** For the people abroad, who would like to support this chain of solidarity you can: * Make a donation (and considering the magnitude of damages, it would be much appreciated) : * Red Cross Mexico (PayPal or transfer): [https://cruzrojadonaciones.org/](http://daluscapital.us16.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0c7785991360489d7b71c7f35&id=8fca05fd2a&e=f9bbb13045) * Cryptocurrencies Donation with [Bitso](https://bitso.com/?adq=GG-INBRD-BIT-EX&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIntGn8cm11gIVBUGGCh19KQS2EAAYASAAEgJMWvD_BwE) – know the founder and you can trust those talented guys ;): [#BitcoinAidMexico – Sep 19th Earthquake](http://daluscapital.us16.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=0c7785991360489d7b71c7f35&id=5440430040&e=f9bbb13045) * Topos Voluntary team ( a professional nonprofit Mexican rescue team born in 1985 as consequence of the big earthquake mentioned earlier) – Paypal donation to donativos@brigada-rescate-topos.org * Share your support, good energies & relevant verified information with #FuerzaMexico – it looks like nothing but I promise it’s significant for people on the ground. Header picture credit: Edgar Olguin, one of the rocking Mexican volunteer digitally & physically supporting efforts. ARTICLE THEORY OF CHANGE LATIN AMERICA MEXICO TECHNOLOGY ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE ## More like this [ ![Green startups in Asia](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/greenstartups.max-320x550.png) ASIA • ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES Can Green Startups in Asia Help Mitigate Climate Change? The Metronome, the famous Manhattan digital clock in Union Square, started the countdown to the next climate disaster. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/can-green-startups-asia-help-mitigate-climate-change/) [ ![Entrepreneurs in Africa](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Entrepreneurs_in_Africa.max-320x550.jpg) AFRICA • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER Designing Virtual Learning Opportunities for Entrepreneurs in Africa [Q&A] If we say that COVID-19 has changed the world, it would be an understatement. COVID-19 disrupted our world. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/designing-virtual-learning-opportunities-entrepreneurs-africa-q/) [ ![Vocational Training](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Vocational_Training_.max-320x550.jpg) AFRICA • EDUCATION & CONSULTING Can Vocational Training Help the African Economy Soar to New Heights? When the time comes to make career choices, modern young people suddenly find themselves in a seismically active world, where rock-solid paradigms are cracking, new normals are forming, and opportunities are flowing like lava. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/can-vocational-training-help-african-economy-soar-new-heights/) [ ![Tracking KPIs is crucial for ensuring that your start-up dream stays on track](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Measuring_KPIs.max-320x550.jpg) GLOBAL • INVESTMENT 5 Simple Mistakes Start-ups Can Avoid When Measuring KPIs Despite some fantastic ideas, brilliant products and passionate owners, it’s a sad fact that most start-ups never make it to their third year. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/learning-resources/5-simple-mistakes-start-ups-can-avoid-when-measuring-kpis/) [ ![Seedstars Index](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Efficient_Tool.max-320x550.jpg) GLOBAL • ECOSYSTEM ENABLER New Seedstars Index: Efficient Tool for Data-Driven Decision Making The Seedstars Index (SSI) has been fully reworked for the 2020 edition with the aim of achieving a higher quality predictive indicator for the success of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Why SSI is a powerful tool for data-driven decision making: __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/insights/new-seedstars-index-efficient-tool-data-driven-decision-making/) [ ![Prepare Younger Generations](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/C-Bridging_the_Gap_How_to_Prepare_Younger_Ge.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • OTHER Bridging the Gap: How to Prepare Younger Generations to the Future of Work Access without quality undermines investments in the sector and yields limited gains. Ivory Coast, and the continent more broadly, has witnessed an increase of the school attendance rates __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/bridging-gap-how-prepare-younger-generations-future-work/) [ ![Country of Innovation](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/switzerland.max-320x550.png) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • URBAN DEVELOPMENT How Switzerland Won Its Title of the Country of Innovation What makes Switzerland unique? How did the country manage to become the global leader in innovation? __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/how-switzerland-won-its-title-country-innovation/) [ ![Being a Better Leader](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Better_Leader.max-320x550.jpg) GLOBAL • HR Being a Better Leader: 5 Skills Founders Have to Learn to Survive Their First Year It's not all doom and gloom. Founders have to realize that setting up a business is hard, but also that most challenges can be surpassed if tackled with the right mindset and skills. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/learning-resources/being-better-leader-5-skills-founders-have-learn-survive-their-first-year/) [ ![Civic Tech](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/C-Civic_Tech_Building_More_Transparent_Socie.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • URBAN DEVELOPMENT Civic Tech: Building More Transparent Societies in Developing Countries Our society is at a tipping point. Consequently, there is an urgent need for developing sustainable economic and social solutions for change. This is where transparency comes in. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/civic-tech-building-more-transparent-societies-developing-countries/) [ ![African startup funding](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Untitled_design_8.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • FINANCIAL SERVICES Future bright as african tech startup funding grows Africa has long lagged behind the rest of the world when it comes to investment, even in the continent’s most exciting tech areas. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/future-bright-african-tech-startup-funding-grows/) [ ![Agritech in Africa](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/agritech.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • AGRICULTURE Agritech in Africa: Paving The Way For a New Era in Farming Imagine a drone flying 100 metres over a section of Nigerian farmland, taking infrared pictures that will then tell the farmer if his crops are suffering from a disease – up to 10 days before the damage is visible to the naked eye. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/agritech-africa-paving-way-new-era-farming/) [ ![Entrepreneurial Landscape in MENA](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Omar_Christidis.max-320x550.jpg) MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA • TECHNOLOGY Overview of the Entrepreneurial Landscape in MENA by Omar Christidis, CEO of Arabnet [Interview] Recently, we had a chance to talk to Omar Christidis, CEO of Arabnet __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/overview-entrepreneurial-landscape-mena-omar-christidis-ceo-arabnet-interview/) [ ![Fighting Trash - Myanmar](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/waste.max-320x550.png) ASIA • ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES Fighting Trash: How Myanmar Is Tackling the Waste Problem in the Country? At the forefront of the Myanmar waste discussion, the historic nation grapples with managing unwanted products like plastic and food __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/fighting-trash-how-myanmar-tackling-waste-problem-country/) [ ![Migrant Workers](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/passport-thumbnail.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • TECHNOLOGY Migrant Workers: Four Ideas On How Technology Can Support Skills Mobility In this article, we will focus on the question of mobility skills, because building the right framework and policies to enable the movement of people is primordial for a sustainable economy and social wellbeing of the world’s population. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/migrant-workers-four-ideas-how-technology-can-support-skills-mobility/) [ ![Ventureburn editor Stephen Timm spoke to Heyl on the role that developed countries can play](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/keyways.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • TECHNOLOGY Key Ways to Shape Africa's Tech Startup Sector: Media Perspective Heyl has also taken an undisclosed share in the company, which was founded in 2010 by the late media entrepreneur Matthew Buckland, who passed away in April. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/key-ways-shape-africas-tech-startup-sector-media-perspective/) [ ![Technology and Entrepreneurship](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Untitled_design_24.max-320x550.png) AFRICA • GOVERNMENT Delivering Public Services Through Technology and Entrepreneurship The delivery of public services such as healthcare, education, sanitation and criminal justice, is a key task for any government. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/delivering-public-services-through-technology-and-entrepreneurship/) [ ![Password Manager for Startups](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/password_manager.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • PROFESSIONAL SERVICES What Is a Password Manager, and Why Does Your Startup Need One When you’re running a startup, it goes without saying that you’ve got a lot on your plate: managing your team, updating all your social media channels, responding to user feedback. The list goes on. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/learning-resources/what-password-manager-and-why-does-your-startup-need-one/) [ ![Fintech](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Untitled_design_20.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • FINANCIAL SERVICES Fintech and the Future of Your Money At the intersection of finance and technology lies a phenomenon that has been reshaping the world of money. The rise of the internet has brought about a high degree of disruption to almost all industries and financial services are no exception. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/fintech-and-future-your-money/) [ ![Digital Health](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/digitalhealth.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • HEALTHCARE Digital Health: A Solution to Growing Problems in Healthcare The Healthtech industry spans a broad number of sub-sectors: hospitals and practitioners; insurance companies; consumer-facing services; pharmaceuticals; and government – to name a few. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/digital-health-solution-growing-problems-healthcare/) [ ![LATAM Startup](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/chile4.max-320x550.png) LATIN AMERICA • INVESTMENT Chile — the Leading LATAM Startup Ecosystem Known for its numerous breathtaking landscapes, wineries, and abundance of copper, Chile is a country that has so much more to offer. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/insights/chile-the-leading-latam-startup-ecosystem/) [ ![Proven Methodologies](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/proven_methodologies.max-320x550.png) GLOBAL • TECHNOLOGY Proven Methodologies for Delivering an Interactive Workshop in the Tech Industry Hosting a workshop at a conference or an event can be strenuous __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/learning-resources/proven-methodologies-delivering-interactive-workshop-tech-industry/) [ ![Networking with investors, media, prospective business partners, employees, and customers](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Networking_Event.max-320x550.jpg) GLOBAL • ENTERPRISE How To Make The Most Out Of A Networking Event Although some entrepreneurs out there attribute their success to luck, savvy startups know that real business opportunity is created through hard work and consistently showing up in the right place at the right time. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/learning-resources/how-make-most-out-networking-event/) [ ![Have you ever been to Astana?](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/group.max-320x550.png) CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE • FINANCIAL SERVICES The FinTech Stars Journey: An Insight on the Three-Month Acceleration Program Have you ever been to Astana? You would be surprised. Sky-high glass buildings, newly built smart quarters with entrances by a fingerprint scan, huge Expo area - firstly, a venue for the biggest Exposition “Future of Energy” __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/newsroom/fintech-stars-journey-insight-three-month-acceleration-program-july-24-2018/) [ ![Mega Cities in emerging markets](https://seedstars-com.s3.amazonaws.com/images/Mega_Cities_in_emerging_markets.max-320x550.jpg) GLOBAL • MOBILITY Mega Cities in emerging markets: what are the perspectives on Smart Mobility? By 2030, almost 60% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. The rapid growth of cities in the developing world, coupled with increasing urban migration, has led to a boom in mega-cities. __ ](https://www.seedstars.com/content-hub/life/mega-cities-emerging-markets-what-are-perspectives-smart-mobility/) --- ## Sitemap - [Sitemap](https://www.seedstars.com/sitemap.md): every public page on this site - [llms.txt](https://www.seedstars.com/llms.txt): what Seedstars does and where to start