YouTube has launched a video version of Google’s Person Finder to help people find loved ones who have been affected by the recent earthquakes and subsequent tsunamis in Japan.
Since the earthquake, Japanese television station TBS has been going to disaster relief shelters and recording victims’ messages for their families and friends. On Friday, YouTube launched YouTube Person Finder, a channel that will host all these videos. By searching for an individual’s name or hometown, or even the shelter they are believed to be at, people can find the corresponding video — and hopefully see their loved one.
The channel has about 80 videos right now, but more videos will be added as they become available. YouTube wrote on their blog that they are working on adding clips from other TV stations and networks, and they hope to also allow personal videos from people impacted by the natural disaster.