Google Earth Used to Highlight Darfur Crisis

Google is attempting to draw more attention to a tragedy some claim is ignored by both politicians and the media -- the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.

The US Holocaust Memorial Museum has joined with the search giant to offer an online mapping project to further the case for action. The maps are said to provide evidence of crimes against humanity throughout Darfur.

"Crisis in Darfur will enable Google Earth users to visualize and learn about the destruction in Darfur as never before and join the Museum's efforts in responding to this continuing international catastrophe," Google public affairs head Elliot Schrage said.

Photographs, data, and eyewitness accounts would be added as part of a "Global Awareness" layer within the application. It is the first effort by the Museum to highlight a genocidal crisis, and is aimed at spurring both governments and citizens to act.

Content has been pulled from a number of sources, including the U.S. State Department, non-governmental organization, the UN, photographers, and the Museum. More than 1,600 damaged and destroyed villages, along with 100,000-plus destroyed homes and other structures can be seen on the imagery.

"We hope this important initiative with Google will make it that much harder for the world to ignore those who need us the most," Museum Director Sara Bloomfield said.

In addition to the Darfur project, the Museum also announced that it will use Google Earth to help map key spots in the history of the Holocaust.