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Safety Alert Mark Zuckerberg Facebook

Facebook safety alert system used more than seven million times after Nepal earthquake

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By Nesh Pillay, Reporter

May 1, 2015 | 2 min read

Facebook’s safety alert system, Safety Check, was used by more than seven million people after last weekend’s earthquake in Nepal, which claimed more than 6,000 lives.

The alert system allows people to ‘check-in’, letting friends and family know that they are safe after a catastrophe.

The system was rolled out last fall, but this was its first major test.

“In times of crisis, the need to connect and share becomes even more critical,” wrote Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg in a Facebook post. “WhatsApp and Messenger are being used in Nepal and across the region to get help. Aid workers are using Groups to coordinate and figure out how to get to affected areas. Journalists and media outlets are using Instagram as their primary way to share photos of the events.”

In addition to providing Safety Check services, Facebook has donated $2m to relief efforts and has raised $10m from its users.

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