What’s this about?
- Google.org is extending $250,000 in relief grants to aid Kenyans affected by catastrophic floods, accompanied by SOS alerts and Search Ads to disseminate vital information and resources during this crisis.
- The severity of the flooding disaster has left the country with 228 lives lost, 200,000 people displaced, and ongoing fears of dam failures due to overflowing reservoirs.
- Leveraging AI technology, Google’s Flood Hub platform tracks river discharge levels to forecast flood risks in priority areas designated by the Kenyan government, while the company’s Nairobi office has been a pivotal resource hub during emergencies, providing critical information and support to affected communities.
Zoom in…
Google.org is providing $250,000 in relief grants, while SOS alerts and Search Ads share crucial information and resources to Kenyans affected by the devastating floods, which have caused 228 deaths and displaced 200,000.
“To help support those impacted by the flooding, our philanthropic arm, Google.org, has launched an employee giving campaign and is providing $250k in grant funding to support relief and recovery efforts, through the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP),” said Agnes Gathaiya, Country Director, Kenya.
Context
Kenya is grappling with one of the worst flooding disasters in its recent history. The past weeks have seen catastrophic floods and mudslides tear through the country, leaving a trail of devastation. Sadly, 228 lives have been lost to date, with another 72 individuals still missing. The scale of the disaster has displaced more than 200,000 people, upending lives and livelihoods across the nation. The relentless rainfall has filled reservoirs to the brim, raising fears of widespread flooding if the dams fail to hold.
During this flooding period, river discharge levels along the Tana, Mutong, and Sagana reached severe levels and in the Tana and Galana, river discharge is still very high. This forecast is based on data from Google’s Flood Hub platform, which has been tracking forecasted river discharge in five areas designated by the Kenyan government as priority locations as part of its efforts to use AI for reliable flood forecasting.
What they are saying…
“To help support those impacted by the flooding, our philanthropic arm, Google.org, has launched an employee giving campaign and is providing $250k in grant funding to support relief and recovery efforts, through the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP),” said Agnes Gathaiya, Country Director, Kenya.
“Our hearts go out to all those affected by the floods in Kenya. We will continue to look for ways to help support those impacted,” said Gathaiya.
The Big picture
Google, which has had an office and employees in Nairobi since 2007, is the go-to platform for information during emergencies, and the newly launched SOS alerts will provide people with resources, including emergency phone numbers and websites, maps, meteorological information and more. The search giant is also providing Search Ads donations to nonprofits so they can better connect with people in need and provide information on how to help flood victims.
Source: techmoran.com
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