As I am sure we have all seen, Haiti, one of the most beautiful places on Earth, but also the poorest nation in the hemisphere, is really struggling. The rest of the World can see the carnage, but this pain is all too familiar to Oklahomans. Almost 15 years ago, the World rushed to Oklahoma's aid on April 19, 1995.
Now, in Haiti the attacker was Mother Nature. Here in Oklahoma, it was a planned attack, a terrorist attack.
But circumstances for the devastation aside, the effects are still the same; heartache, anger, despair.
Hours and days after the terrorist attack, families scrambled to find their loved ones. Are they okay? Were they in the building? Has anyone seem them?
Now Haiti is experiencing the same, only on a largely multiplied level.
In the bombing, 168 people died. In Haiti, it could be about 100,000 lives lost.
In the search effort, Haiti has one resource Oklahoma did not have, the internet. Yes, the world wide web was around at that time, but was not being used as it is in catastrophe.
Major outlets like CNN and even the RED Cross have set up sites to help you find your missing family and friends.
Both sites allow you to upload pictures, leave updates and find other means of contact.
During the Oklahoma City bombing and even the attacks on the World Trade Centers, this technology was not at the public's disposal.
Vietnam was the first war to be televised; it brought the barbaric acts right into viewers' living rooms.
In 1995, people anxiously waited by their phones in hopes of hearing a loved one's voice on the other end.
Years later for the Twin Towers in 2001, family members held tight to their cell phones while compulsively checking e-mail for a sign their friends were okay.
Now, in 2010, anyone and everyone with access to the internet can check or send the status of those involved in or affected by this tragedy.
The excruciating wait time is reduced; updates are instantaneous and available to all.
Technology has made another leap to help those in need, aid in research and bring the World as a whole, closer together.
Ashton Edwards
KFOR.com Producer
