I have not been the biggest fan of Google Earth. I found the application cool and interesting, but never had the use for it as I rarely work with maps. But today I found a news item that shows the potential of the application in a brilliant way. According to Mail & Guardian the United Nations refugee agency on Tuesday unveiled a new partnership with internet giant Google to help track refugees from Iraq to Darfur and raise public awareness of its work.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) launched its new service using the “Google Earth Outreach” programme, which allows organisations to add their own data and information as a “layer” on top of the existing Google Earth service. Users can then click on an icon of a camp for Darfur refugees in Chad, for example, and read pop-up windows detailing everyday life for the refugees, their histories and the challenges aid agencies face in ensuring their health and livelihoods.