Google Tracking Refugees

A new feature allows Google Earth users to take a tour of the world’s refugee hotspots, with images of camps supplemented by information from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the AP reports. The search titan has greatly improved the available resolution in its satellite photos of refugee areas—for example, individual tents are visible in a Chadian camp for Darfur’s displaced.

"All of the things that we do for refugees in the refugee camps around the world will become more visible," said a UN official. Though not initially intended for humanitarian uses, Google Earth realized its higher calling after it was used to coordinate Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Google is considering offering stand-alone version of its mapping software to aid workers on the ground who don't have Internet access. (More refugee stories.)