This is neat !

Free text messages to and from earthquake countries.

In a generous gesture, Chatbar announces a free SMS service to help contact families and friends affected by Asian earthquake. Free SMS messages can be via ChatBar to or from the following countries:

Bangladesh
India
Indonesia
Malaysia
Maldives
Sri Lanka
Thailand

SMS messages sent to mobile phones of foreign nationals roaming in those countries will also be provided free by ChatBar, although separate charges may be applied by some carriers. Relevant parties should utilize the following links:

-- for English

-- for Simplified Chinese

-- for Traditional Chinese

-- for Tagalog

Paul Roberts, Director, ForgetMeNot Software, stated "We are all shocked and stunned by the devastation wrought by the earthquake. In an effort to help, we wanted to make the functionality of ChatBar available free to everyone who needs to communicate with loved ones at this difficult time. Experience has shown that SMS messages may get through to mobile phones even though voice networks may be overloaded." Those people without a mobile phone but access to an internet connected PC can still send and receive SMS messages through the service."

cf related Tsunami/cell phone stories posted in Textually.org. [Smart Mobs]

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